Marriott Bonvoy Golf Tournament 2024 Celebrates Golfing Excellence And Community Spirit

The Marriott Bonvoy Golf Tournament 2024 came to a triumphant close at the breathtaking Prestige Golfshire Club, with JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa hosting an unforgettable gathering of golf aficionados. This premier event celebrated the spirit of golf while championing a meaningful cause. Led by the Marriott India Business Council, the charity fundraising dinner set out to make a transformative impact by supporting Rising Star Outreach in their efforts towards empowering and uplifting individuals and families affected by leprosy, offering them renewed hope and pathways to brighter futures.

Now in its sixth year, the tournament proudly celebrates the enduring partnership between Marriott Bonvoy and one of India’s most distinguished golfers, Shiv Kapur—an Arjuna Award winner, with three Asian tour wins in 2017, and two-time European Challenge Tour champion. Kapur has also earned the distinction of delivering the ‘Best Finish’ by an Indian golfer at the US Open. As the event's marquee player, Shiv captivated attendees with his insights and personal journey, inspiring aspiring golfers, engaging media representatives, and connecting with prominent influencers. His presence not only enriched the tournament’s atmosphere but also deepened its significance, solidifying it as a premier event that bridges the worlds of sport and unforgettable experiences.

"We're excited to host and see an outstanding turnout of golf fans at the prestigious Marriott Bonvoy Golf Tournament once again this year. This annual event underscores Marriott Bonvoy’s commitment to delivering exceptional, curated experiences for our valued guests. We are honored to have Shiv Kapur with us, whose presence has elevated the tournament’s success. Our newly introduced auction gala dinner was a highlight, warmly embraced by our guests and enabling us to give back to the community in a meaningful manner” said- Ranju Alex – Area Vice President, South Asia- Marriott International

Commenting on his long-standing association, Shiv Kapur remarked, "Marriott Bonvoy continues to impress with its commitment to curating distinct, immersive experiences. My ongoing partnership is a testament to how we elevate these unforgettable experiences, camaraderie, and shared passion for this legendary sport. This tournament has always been a fantastic platform for connecting with fellow golf enthusiasts, and this year, it brings the added purpose of giving back to the community. I am truly honored to support the charity initiative, with proceeds going to Rising Star Outreach, an organization dedicated to uplifting the lives of those impacted by leprosy. Together, we are merging the love for golf with a powerful purpose, reinforcing the impact sport can have when paired with meaningful social change."

Following the tournament, the evening culminated in a successful Fundraiser Gala Dinner at the JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa, featuring rare collectibles for the auction, and live entertainment. Proceeds from the auction dinner will support Rising Star Outreach of India in their work to combat leprosy.

About Marriott Bonvoy®

Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program and marketplace, gives members access to transformative, eye-opening experiences around the corner and across the globe. Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of more than 30 extraordinary hotel brands offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, as well as through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments™, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques®. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com. To download the Marriott Bonvoy app, go here. Travelers can also connect with Marriott Bonvoy on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

Doctors At Fortis Mohali Saves Cancer Patient With Complex Kidney Cancer Using Advanced Robotic-Assisted Surgery

·         Fortis Mohali becomes the first hospital to perform a surgery of this complexity in this region

·         Surgeons successfully used an advanced robotic technique to remove a 14 cm kidney tumor and tumor thrombus clot from a major vein

·         As cancer cases rise in the region, this will help patients from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir to get effective surgical treatment for kidney cancer

A team led by Dr. Dharmender Aggarwal, senior Uro-oncologist and robotic surgeon at Fortis Hospital, Mohali, has successfully performed a complex robotic-assisted surgery to remove a massive 14-centimetre kidney tumour and tumour thrombus (blood clot) from a 62-year-old patient. This advanced surgery, performed with the cutting-edge da Vinci robotic system, is the first of its kind in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, demonstrating the effectiveness of robotic-assisted surgery for high-risk cases.

The 62-year-old patient initially experienced blood in his urine. After initial treatment at local centres, scans revealed a 14 cm tumour in his right kidney, which had completely replaced the organ and formed a thrombus (blood clot) that extended into the renal vein and inferior vena cava (IVC), the main vein returning blood to the heart. The surgery required removing both the tumour and the thrombus from the kidney, renal vein, and IVC, making it a highly complex procedure.

“This type of advanced kidney cancer typically requires a highly invasive procedure, with significant risks of blood loss and complications. However, we opted for a robotic-assisted radical nephrectomy combined with an IVC thrombectomy, a procedure that requires extreme precision to safely remove both the kidney and the tumour thrombus,” said Dr. Aggarwal, adding, “Using the advanced da Vinci robotic system, we carefully dissected the inferior vena cava, placed slings to control blood flow, and removed the tumour thrombus along with the affected part of the IVC. We then repaired the vein, ensuring proper blood flow. The complex part of surgery was completed in just 12 minutes, which would have taken 20-30 minutes in the traditional approach.”

Remarkably, the procedure, completed robotically, resulted in minimal blood loss, far less than in traditional open surgery, eliminating the need for a transfusion. Moreover, adoption of this advanced surgical technique reduced the risk of cardiac arrest and respiratory failure while doing the IVC thrombectomy.  The patient was discharged after three days with minimal discomfort, benefiting from quicker healing, reduced pain, and a shorter hospital stay.

The patient expressed his gratitude for the care he received at Fortis Hospital, Mohali, saying, “I was deeply concerned about the risks involved, but Dr. Aggarwal and the entire team reassured me at every step. I am amazed at how quickly I was able to recover and return home.”

This case highlights the capabilities of robotic-assisted surgery for managing complex and high-risk cases. The da Vinci robotic system offers enhanced magnification, greater precision, and reduced blood loss, making it an essential technology for complex surgeries like this.

“We have set a new standard for what can be achieved with surgical robotics in North India. We hope that more hospitals in the region will adopt this technology, and that more surgeons will undergo specialised training in robotic techniques. This is the future of surgery, and it offers significant benefits for both patients and medical professionals alike,” Dr. Aggarwal added.

Tata Sampann Launches ‘Pyar Bhara’ Campaign Across Indian Market

~ To highlight how Tata Sampann brings to you food, with itsgoodness, as intended by nature ~

Check out the new film link  here: https://youtu.be/LiYcEkKyiV0

Tata Sampann, a brand from Tata Consumer Products Limited (TCPL) offers an array of products like unpolished pulses, spices with native natural oils, high fibre Gurjari variety Poha, premium quality dry fruits & many more, in one of their most natural versions. Tata Sampann’s latest brand campaign- ‘Pyar Bhara,’ brings alive this unique proposition & encourages consumers to choose food Ingredients full of nature’s love.

The ad shows a friendly banter between chefs Sanjeev Kapoor & Ranveer Brar while showcasing how Tata Sampann Unpolished Dal is special, as it has essential nutrients & goodness of nature intact, making it a great choice for consumers.

By celebrating the joy of cooking with untampered natural ingredients, the ‘Pyar Bhara’ campaign promotes the idea of consuming food in the form nature intended, making every meal both delicious and nourishing for the family, thereby fostering a deeper connection between consumers and the ingredients they use in their cooking.

Speaking about the campaign, Deepika Bhan, President, Packaged Foods - India, Tata Consumer Products, stated, “We believe that polishing is a harsh process which takes away most nutrients dal has to offer. This is why we don’t polish our dal - we bring it to our consumers, unpolished and full of Nature’s Love”. And not just dals, all Tata Sampann food holds the same promise."

Sharing his thoughts, Anurag Agnihotri, Chief Creative Officer (West) at Ogilvy India, said, “When food isn’t processed and tampered with, doesn’t have anything artificial or superficial, what does it have? Perhaps, just love. Tata Sampann doesn’t polish its pulses and its pure spices have native natural oils, retaining the love that nature has put in it. This is the idea that we wanted to bring alive. And coming from two beloved Indian chefs, it will hopefully be heard, understood and loved.”

Talking about his association with the brand Chef Sanjeev Kapoor said “Cooking is an honest art. The dish will only come alive if your efforts and ingredients are full of love. That's why I choose Tata Sampann. Their products have nature's pure and unlimited love. You can feel it, every time you cook with their products. I'm proud to be part of a campaign that celebrates this love for Indian food. Nature's. Mine. Yours.”

Chef Ranveer Brar fondly spoke of the brand campaign and said “Tata Sampann reminds us that the most nourishing, delicious food is the one nature provides in its intended form. I believe the secret to preparing great food lies in respecting the way nature makes it and I'm thrilled to lend my voice to a campaign that captures this sentiment beautifully. Tata Sampann's close to nature products can truly elevate the joy of home-cooked food.”

The Tata Sampann ‘  Pyar Bhara’ campaign will be promoted across various digital platforms, including social media, where consumers can engage with the content and share their experiences cooking with Tata Sampann products. The new films launched are live on Tata Sampann’s social media, encouraging consumers to discover how nature’s love transforms everyday cooking, making our daily food nourishing & tasty. Check out the new film here: https://youtu.be/LiYcEkKyiV0

About Tata Consumer Products Limited:

Tata Consumer Products Limited is a focused consumer products company uniting the principal food and beverage interests of the Tata Group under one umbrella. The Company’s portfolio of products includes tea, coffee, water, RTD, salt, pulses, spices 

ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat offerings, breakfast cereals, snacks and mini meals. Its key beverage brands include Tata Tea, Tetley, Organic India, Eight O’Clock Coffee, Tata Coffee Grand, Himalayan Natural Mineral Water, Tata Copper+ and Tata Gluco+. Its foods portfolio includes brands such as Tata Salt, Tata Sampann, Tata Soulfull, Ching’s Secret and Smith & Jones. In India, Tata Consumer Products has a reach of over 263 million households, giving it an unparalleled ability to leverage the Tata brand in consumer products. The Company has a consolidated annual turnover of ~Rs. 15,206 Crs with operations in India and International markets.

Last 10-year financials are available on Historical financial data.

For more information on the Company, visit our website:

www.tataconsumer.com

ICRAIS-2024 Concludes Successfully At MIT, MAHE, Showcasing Breakthroughs In Sustainable IT And Cyber Security

The 2024 International Conference on Recent Advances in Information Science (ICRAIS-2024), held in association with IEEE, concluded on November 7th at the Department of Information and Communication, MIT, MAHE. This two-day conference attracted a distinguished group of researchers, academics, and industry professionals, fostering insightful discussions on critical advancements in Soft Computing, Distributed Computing, Information Security, and Network & Communication.

The event opened on November 6th with registration, breakfast, and an inaugural ceremony that officially launched the conference. Dr. S. N. Omkar, Chief Research Scientist at IISc Bengaluru, served as the Chief Guest and delivered a compelling keynote address on Drone Computing and its Applications in Sustainable IT, setting an engaging tone for the conference. “As we look towards a sustainable future in IT, drone technology stands out as a transformative force, with applications spanning across industries,” said Dr. Omkar. “By integrating drones with sustainable practices, we are opening new avenues for innovation, efficiency, and environmental responsibility in the digital age.” His insights underscored the role of drone technology in developing sustainable solutions for the IT sector.

Throughout the day, researchers presented their latest findings in a series of paper presentations, held across two in-person and two online sessions, allowing for a robust exchange of ideas on diverse IT topics. Adding to the program, Dr. Paul Pang of Federation University, Australia, delivered an invited talk on Information Security, sharing valuable industry insights on safeguarding digital systems. The day concluded with a cultural program and dinner at Sir M V Hall, where attendees enjoyed networking and community engagement.

On November 7th  Day 2 of ICRAIS-2024 featured an influential talk by Dr. Gang Li, Professor at Deakin University, who presented on Strategic Suppression of Cyber Propaganda: A Game Theory Approach, deepening discussions on cyber security and data protection strategies. The conference proceeded with further paper presentations, both in-person and online, where innovative research on sustainable IT and emerging technologies was showcased.

The valedictory session marked the conclusion of ICRAIS-2024, with Group Captain Pola Aanand Naidu, Director at the Information Sharing and Analysis Centre, delivering closing remarks. His speech emphasized the importance of international collaboration in advancing sustainable IT solutions and underscored the role of global partnerships in addressing the pressing challenges faced by the IT sector today.

The ICRAIS-2024 organizers extend their gratitude to all participants, presenters, and attendees for making the event a grand success. The conference not only highlighted the strides being made in IT research but also provided a valuable platform for fostering international cooperation and knowledge exchange.

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.

‘Digii100’ Summit Announces Its 2nd Edition, To Recognize Top 100 Higher Education Institutions Pioneering Digital Transformation

Digii, a Bengaluru-based leading SaaS company offering a mission-critical operating system for higher education and delivering a digital-first experience for every stakeholder, today announced the launch of the 2nd edition of its most sought-after flagship event, the Digii100 Summit. This unique endeavour, focused on recognizing India's top 100 higher education institutions leading the way in digital transformation, is scheduled for December 14th in New Delhi. This year, the summit will focus sharply on Unlocking Digital Excellence at Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) through power-packed panel discussions, immersive workshops, and fireside chats.

In today’s rapidly changing educational landscape, digital transformation is reshaping how education is delivered and experienced, making it essential for institutions to evolve into digital campuses. A growing number of institutions across the ecosystem are harnessing cutting-edge technology to redefine teaching, learning, and the overall campus environment. The past two years have also seen a surge in AI adoption, driven by the quest for personalized learning and strategic partnerships between institutions and tech innovators. This shift has empowered HEIs to deliver personalized learning experiences, fostering greater engagement and improved student success.

Recognizing this momentum, Digii launched the one-of-a-kind ‘Digii100’ initiative to spotlight the top 100 institutions excelling in digital transformation, using a robust framework to identify trailblazers. These standout institutions not only serve as powerful case studies but also inspire others to replicate best practices and accelerate their own digital journeys. With over 200 Higher Education Institution (HEI) leaders and CXOs from top tech firms expected to attend, the Digii100 Summit aims to build a community of technology companies and higher education institutions to engage freely and have open dialogues. Among the confirmed speakers are Narayanan Ramaswamy, Partner & National Leader for Education and Skill Development at KPMG India; Dr. Sekar Viswanathan, Vice-President and Co-founder of VIT Bangalore; PP Sunil Acharya, India & South Asia Lead at Amazon Web Services; and Rajiv Tandon, CEO of Strategic Initiatives and Industry Research Partnerships at Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani.

Speaking about the summit, Hemant Sahal, Founder & CEO, expressed his excitement “Launching the second edition of the Digii100 Summit reinforces our commitment to honouring institutions that are driving change in Indian higher education. By celebrating the top 100 institutions for their digital excellence, we aim to inspire more institutions to embrace technology and elevate educational standards. We strongly believe that technology is the catalyst for creating personalised, scalable, and impactful learning experiences that can truly transform the lives of students and other stakeholders across India.”

The day-long summit will bring together key leaders from academia, industry, and policy-making to share impactful stories and discuss practical solutions for addressing bottlenecks. With a sharp focus on content and community building, it will feature discussions and workshops on leveraging AI for scalable impact, using design thinking for digital transformation, creating student-centric campuses for holistic development, and empowering classrooms with cutting-edge digital tools, among other emerging areas in higher education.

About Digii:

Digii is a Bengaluru-based SaaS company offering Digiicampus, a comprehensive operating system purpose-built for higher education institutions. Digii empowers institutions to streamline mission-critical operations, enhance learning outcomes, elevate student satisfaction, and ensure regulatory compliance through the utilization of Digiicampus. The platform is actively used by 300,000+ students spanning 200+ higher education institutions globally. Read more at https://digiicampus.com/

revalyu Resources Successfully Commissions Second Plant Of World’s Largest Chemical PET-Plastic Recycling Site

 ·     revalyu Resources invested US$100 million to bring the total production capacity at its Nashik, India site to 280 tonnes per day (tpd) making it the world’s largest PET plastic recycling site.

·         The site consists of three independent recycling plants: 

o   two recycling plants, each with a capacity of 120 tpd producing 100% recycled PET chips of which one plant was recently commissioned and the second will be commissioned in Q3, 2025. 

o   one operating 40 tpd recycling plant which produces 100% recycled speciality chips and textile yarns. 

·         The plants use advanced recycling technology based on glycolysis which produces recycled PET with 75% less water and 91% less energy consumption compared to conventional PET manufacturing

revalyu Resources, a leading chemical PET recycling company with a global presence, has commissioned its second technology-leading PET recycling plant at its site in Nashik, India to further bolster its production capacity and meet growing customer demands.

The recent commissioning of the second plant means the revalyu site now recycles over 20 million used PET bottles a day into 160 tonnes per day of high quality PET chips and PET polymer.  This is being used by customers to meet their sustainability targets in applications from diverse sectors such as PET bottle, packaging materials, textiles, automobile accessories and a wide variety of other PET copolymer based products. The third plant is fully financed as part of the US$100 million investment, and under construction which will add a further 120 tonnes per day of capacity in Q3 2025. This will increase the site’s recycling capacity to approximately 35 million post-consumer plastic bottles a day and total production capacity to 280 tonnes per day.

The site utilizes highly advanced patented glycolysis-based recycling technologies and automated processes, which make the manufacturing operations highly optimized, scalable, profitable and easily replicable. The recycled PET is produced using 75% less water and 91% less energy than conventional PET made from oil.

Commenting on the recent successes, Dr. Vivek Tandon, Founder, revalyu Group said, “This is a revolutionary moment for the PET plastic recycling industry.  Finally, the world has a commercially proven, scalable, profitable and environmentally sustainable recycling technology that can truly reverse engineer used PET plastic into virgin grade quality PET polymer.  I cannot thank our team, customers, shareholders and suppliers enough for their hard work, trust and support.  We continue to seek global partners to join us in our global expansion as we continue to drive innovation to deliver the highest quality sustainable (r)polymer to customers and take care of our planet for our future generations”.

The revalyu Group’s Managing Director Jan van Kisfeld stated: “This marks a significant milestone for revalyu and the advancement of global plastic circularity. Imagine PET being recycled continuously, creating a sustainable cycle. Our 100% post-consumer recycled polymer can seamlessly replace conventional PET in any polyester or PET application. Our new plant demonstrates two critical achievements: first, that this chemical recycling process is commercially viable on a global scale, and second, that it operates with an impressively low environmental footprint. Our new facility serves customers with high-quality 100% recycled PET similar to conventional PET and supports them in reaching their sustainability goals.”

Makarand Kulkarni, CEO, revalyu India  said, “Our Nashik site underscores our strategic vision of reinforcing our leadership position in the PET recycling landscape globally. This environmentally sustainable chemical recycling process is scalable and replicable and that gives our customers an edge in their respective markets, the technology is a game changer. We will continue to explore collaborations globally to build scale and create market opportunities."

revalyu Resources will set up a 240 tonnes per day PET recycling facility in the US by 2027 and has plans to expand globally with partnerships to increase its production to over 1000 tonnes per day by 2030.

About revalyu:

The revalyu Group is headquartered in Germany (revalyu Resources GmbH) and majority-owned by Heraeus, a German global technology group.  revalyu Resources owns operations in India (revalyu Recycling (India) Limited) and the USA (revalyu (US) LLC). revalyu started with the vision of using an innovative solution to tackle the post-consumer plastic waste problem, resulting in a of one-of-a-kind chemical PET recycling process to recycle post-consumer PET waste for making cost effective high-quality recycled products equivalent to conventionally produced PET.

https://www.revalyu.com/

About Heraeus:

Heraeus is a family-owned global technology group headquartered in Hanau, Germany. The company’s roots go back to a family pharmacy started in 1660. With its expertise and resources, Heraeus has been making meaningful contributions over generations and is committed to do so in the future. Today, the group bundles diverse activities in four Business Platforms: Metals and Recycling, Healthcare, Semiconductor and Electronics, as well as Industrials. Customers benefit from innovative technologies and solutions based on broad materials knowledge and technological leadership. In the 2023 financial year, the group generated revenues of €25.6 billion (US$27.7 billion) with approximately 16,400 employees in 40 countries. Heraeus is one of the top 10 family owned companies in Germany. 

Final Countdown Begins As “Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival, 2024” All Set To Kick Off

With an exciting lineup of international music icons, regional talent, and cultural attractions, Day-1 of the “Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival” is all set to kick off on Friday, November 15, at the RBDSA Sports Complex, Bhoirymbong.

Having majority of the international sensations including Akon already reached Northeast, Shillong is going to experience the musical extravaganza like never before, celebrating ‘Year of Legends’.

Hon'ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Conrad K. Sangma, will inaugurate the festival, in the presence of the esteemed guest Hon'ble Union Minister of DoNER, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia and Tourism Minister of Meghalaya Shri Paul Lyngdoh.

The Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival has grown into a major cultural attraction, drawing thousands of tourists from the country and beyond. The people celebrate the scenic beauty of cherry blossoms with music, food, art, and many more.

R&B Superstar Akon in his Superfan Tour will be the headliner of the day-one of Shillong Cherry Blossom festival. This will be followed by electric show by legendary group Boney M on their Farewell Tour, making this a rare opportunity to witness the band live. Singing sensation Jasleen Royal, international star Lucas, Northeast’s The Great Society and beloved local artists like Queen Sensation and Rito Riba, will also join the celebration on Friday.

Clean Bandit and acclaimed Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor will perform on Day-Two, followed by DJ R3HAB with his electrifying beats. Local band Khasi Bloodz, SK Korn, and artists from the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (MGMP) will also showcase their talents, underscoring the festival's commitment to promote regional talents.

For the first time, the festival will also have a designated Japanese Arena, which came as a result of the visit of Japanese Ambassador to Meghalaya where he noticed the similarities between both the places with Blooming Cherry, definitely, being one of them. Here, the visitors can experience the vibrant culture of Japan. The arena will offer a unique fusion of art, anime, and entertainment. This dedicated space will also feature anime screenings to give fans a chance to enjoy popular Japanese animation on the big screen.

Let’s immerse in this annual celebration of Cherry Blossom, at the RBDSA Sports Complex, with international sensations on their legendary superfan to farewell tours, only in Meghalaya.