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  • True Balance Conducts Financial Literacy Initiative ‘Fin Connect’ in Gurugram

    True Balance Conducts Financial Literacy Initiative ‘Fin Connect’ in Gurugram

    Gurugram, India Mar 25: True Balance conducted Fin Connect, a financial literacy and business bootcamp, as part of its Finance for All initiative, aimed at strengthening financial awareness among underserved and emerging segments.

    Held in collaboration with Underdogs and The Energy and Resources Institute, the one-day, simulation-led workshop engaged around 400 participants, including youth, early-stage entrepreneurs, and individuals with limited exposure to formal financial systems.

    The initiative comes at a time when India’s financial inclusion and digital ecosystem are expanding rapidly, with the Reserve Bank of India Financial Inclusion Index at 67 in FY25 and the Digital Payments Index at 516.76 in September 2025. With digital payments accounting for over 99% of transaction volumes, the need for financial literacy alongside access is becoming increasingly critical.

    The program combined behavioural and practical aspects of personal finance, highlighting how money decisions are often influenced by instinct rather than logic, while introducing budgeting frameworks such as the 50/30/20 rule, credit awareness through CIBIL scores, and the role of investing in long-term wealth creation.

    TrueBalance’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Charlie Lee also addressed financial safety through scam awareness. On the business side, participants were introduced to core principles such as the critical role of cash flow over accounting profit, managing cost structures, and contextual pricing, alongside a simplified understanding of how the Reserve Bank of India and repo rates influence interest rates and inflation.

    Participants engaged in FinSim, an interactive simulation designed to demonstrate how financial decisions around income, expenses, savings, and credit impact long-term outcomes, concluding with participant reflections and commitments to improved financial habits.

    Through Fin ConnectTrue Balance aims to equip individuals with practical financial knowledge, supporting more informed participation in an increasingly digital and credit-driven economy.

  • PM KISAN Scheme Provides INR 4.27 Lakh Crore Direct Support to Farmers

    The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme has disbursed a total of ₹4.27 lakh crore in direct financial assistance to farmers across India, marking a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to strengthen the agricultural sector.

    PM KISAN Scheme Provides INR 4.27 Lakh Crore Direct Support to Farmers

    The initiative provides income support to eligible farmers through direct benefit transfers, ensuring timely financial aid to help meet agricultural and household needs. Officials said the scheme reflects the government’s continued focus on farmer welfare and rural development.

    Launched to supplement the income of small and marginal farmers, PM-KISAN has played a key role in providing economic stability to millions of farming families. The programme has also contributed to improving access to resources required for agricultural productivity.

    Authorities highlighted that the scheme aligns with the broader vision of building a self-reliant and developed nation, where farmers remain central to economic growth and food security.

    With continued fund transfers and expanded outreach, PM-KISAN remains one of the largest direct income support programmes for farmers globally, reinforcing India’s commitment to strengthening its agricultural backbone.

  • Empowering Rural Odisha: Mission PoWaR Drives Integrated Development Push

    Odisha: The state’s Mission PoWaR is emerging as a major initiative aimed at transforming rural areas through a convergence-based development approach focused on infrastructure and essential services.

    Under the mission, significant investments have been allocated to strengthen connectivity and improve basic facilities across villages. The plan includes ₹3,491 crore for rural roads, ₹2,050 crore for bridges, and ₹1,000 crore dedicated to ensuring all-weather connectivity, aiming to improve access even in remote regions.

    Alongside infrastructure development, the initiative places strong emphasis on providing reliable electricity supply and safe drinking water to every village. Officials say the programme is designed to create inclusive growth by linking remote habitations with mainstream development.

    Mission PoWaR focuses on coordinated efforts across departments to accelerate rural transformation, improve mobility, and enhance the quality of life for rural communities.

    The initiative is expected to play a key role in strengthening rural Odisha’s infrastructure backbone while supporting long-term socio-economic development.

  • Apollo Hospitals Jubilee Hills Sets Record with 2,000 Plus Robotic Surgeries Using Advanced Xi System

    Apollo Hospitals Jubilee Hills Sets Record with 2,000+ Robotic Surgeries Using Advanced Xi System

    Hyderabad, Mar 25: Apollo Hospitals Jubilee Hills has emerged as a leader in robotic-assisted healthcare, performing the highest number of surgeries across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh using the advanced Xi robotic surgical system. Crossing the significant milestone of over 2,000 robotic procedures, the hospital continues to redefine precision-driven treatment and patient safety.

    Dr.Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director Apollo Hospitals Group said on this occasion the high-end Xi robotic technology has been widely utilised across multiple specialties including Gynaecology, Surgical Oncology, Urology, Cardiac Thoracic Surgery and Surgical Gastroenterology. She said our expert teams of surgeons across departments have successfully adopted this minimally invasive platform, enabling complex procedures with greater accuracy, reduced pain and faster recovery time for patients.

    Doctors at Apollo Hospitals stated that robotic-assisted surgery enhances surgical precision through superior 3D visualisation and improved instrument flexibility, helping manage complicated cases with better clinical outcomes. The achievement highlights the growing trust of patients in advanced robotic procedures and the hospital’s commitment to delivering world-class healthcare.

    Mr. Tejesvi Rao Veerapalli, CEO, Apollo Hospitals Telangana & Andhra Pradesh said With this milestone, Apollo Hospitals Jubilee Hills has strengthened its position as a pioneer in robotic surgery, offering cutting-edge treatment options and setting new benchmarks in patient care across the Telugu states.

  • Devotees Flock to Temples Across India on Seventh Day of Chaitra Navratri

    Temples across India witnessed a large influx of devotees on the seventh day of Chaitra Navratri, as worshippers gathered to offer prayers and seek blessings of Goddess Durga.

    Devotees observed the day with traditional rituals, fasting, and special pujas dedicated to Goddess Kaalratri, the form worshipped on the seventh day of the nine-day festival. Temples were decorated with flowers and lights, creating a festive and spiritual atmosphere.

    Across major pilgrimage sites and local shrines, long queues of devotees were seen from early morning as people participated in prayers and devotional activities. Priests conducted special ceremonies and recitations of sacred hymns throughout the day.

    The festival of Chaitra Navratri is observed with deep devotion across the country, marking a period of spiritual reflection, discipline, and celebration of divine feminine energy. The ongoing celebrations will continue until Ram Navami, which marks the culmination of the festival.

    Authorities in several regions made arrangements to manage crowds and ensure smooth darshan for devotees.

  • Prakriti 2026 Conference on Carbon Markets Begins in New Delhi

    The Union government has launched Prakriti 2026, an international conference on carbon markets and climate action, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and global experts to discuss sustainable growth and emission reduction strategies.

    The conference focuses on strengthening carbon market frameworks, improving global cooperation, and exploring innovative solutions to address climate change challenges.

    It is being organised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency under the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The event reflects India’s growing emphasis on clean energy transition and climate-responsible development.

    Experts are expected to deliberate on policy improvements, market mechanisms, and ways to enhance transparency and participation in carbon trading systems.

    Prakriti 2026 aims to support global climate goals while positioning India as a key contributor in shaping sustainable economic practices.

  • End of a Long Wait: Harish Rana Passes Away After 13 Year Coma

    Harish Rana, known as one of the first individuals in India to be permitted passive euthanasia, passed away on Tuesday at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), bringing an end to a long and difficult chapter that spanned over 13 years.

    Rana, 31, had been in a coma since 2013 following a severe medical condition that left him unresponsive. For more than a decade, his life was sustained through continuous medical care, largely managed at his home in Ghaziabad by family members who remained by his side through the prolonged ordeal.

    Earlier this month, on March 14, he was shifted to the palliative care unit of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital at AIIMS-Delhi as his condition required specialized end-of-life support. Medical teams provided comfort care during his final days.

    Rana’s case had drawn attention for its legal and ethical dimensions, particularly around the issue of passive euthanasia in India. It highlighted the emotional and financial strain faced by families caring for patients in prolonged vegetative states, while also bringing focus to the need for compassionate end-of-life care policies.

    Despite the legal and medical complexities surrounding his condition, at the heart of the story was a family’s unwavering commitment. For years, his loved ones continued to hope, care, and advocate, navigating both personal grief and public attention.

    His passing marks not just the end of a life, but the conclusion of a deeply human story—one that sparked conversations about dignity, medical ethics, and the realities of long-term critical care.

    Harish Rana is remembered not only for the circumstances of his case but also for the quiet resilience shown by those who stood beside him throughout his journey.

  • India’s Sports Economy Surpasses $2 Billion, Cricket Dominates Revenue Share

    India’s sports industry has achieved a significant milestone, crossing the $2 billion mark for the first time, reflecting strong growth and increasing commercial potential. The sector expanded by 13.4% year-on-year to reach approximately $2.13 billion (Rs 18,864 crore), underlining its rapid evolution in recent years.

    Over the past four years, the industry has nearly doubled in size, registering an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 19%. This steady rise highlights growing investments, expanding fan engagement, and the increasing commercialization of sports across the country.

    Cricket continues to dominate India’s sports economy, contributing a massive 89% of the total revenue—an increase from 85% the previous year. With earnings of about Rs 16,704 crore, cricket alone now surpasses the total value of the entire Indian sports industry recorded just a year earlier.

    Meanwhile, the share of other emerging sports has declined to 11%, indicating a widening gap between cricket and the rest of the sporting ecosystem. Despite efforts to promote disciplines such as football, badminton, and kabaddi, cricket’s overwhelming popularity and financial strength continue to drive the market.

    The latest figures highlight both the success and the imbalance within India’s sports landscape. While the overall growth signals a positive outlook, experts believe there is a need to further support and invest in non-cricket sports to ensure more balanced and sustainable development across the sector.

  • Archana Sankaranarayanan launches Freediving Association of India; country accepted as AIDA International observer

    Archana Sankaranarayanan launches Freediving Association of India; country accepted as AIDA International observer

    Chennai, Mar 25th: In a significant development for underwater sports in India, Archana Sankaranarayanan has led the establishment of the Freediving Association of India (AIDA India), marking a formal step towards institutionalising the sport in the country. India has also been accepted as an observer member of AIDA International (Association Internationale pour le Développement de l’Apnée), the global governing body for competitive freediving.

    The observer status is expected to enable the newly formed association to organise official competitions, build a structured national platform, and support Indian athletes throughout their competitive journeys, paving the way for stronger international participation in the years ahead.

    Ms. Sankaranarayanan, founder of AIDA India, has played a central role in building the association from the ground up, navigating regulatory and administrative processes to bring the initiative to fruition. Her efforts are seen as a key step towards securing full recognition for India within the global freediving community.

    Alongside her administrative contributions, Ms. Sankaranarayanan has recorded notable achievements as an athlete. Over the past year, she has set 11 national records, emerging as one of the country’s leading figures in the sport.

    In 2025, she became the first Indian brand ambassador for Molchanovs, a prominent international freediving organisation, further enhancing her global standing.

    She has also made strides in officiating, becoming the first Indian to serve as a judge at an international freediving competition. She is currently en route to Bali, where she will officiate as the main judge at the Apnea Bali, Tulamben Pool Games her second international assignment and first in a lead role.

    The formation of AIDA India, coupled with the country’s acceptance as an observer member, is being viewed as a milestone moment for Indian freediving, opening avenues for growth, wider representation, and increased participation at the global level.

  • Inviting Young Minds: Pravesh Utsav & Khadichuan to Be Held on April 2

    A new chapter in the educational journey of young children is set to begin on April 2 with the celebration of Pravesh Utsav and Khadichuan, organized in line with the National Education Policy.

    ଜାତୀୟ ଶିକ୍ଷା ନୀତି ଅନୁଯାୟୀ ଆସନ୍ତା ଏପ୍ରିଲ ୨ ତାରିଖରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ ହେବାକୁ ଯାଉଥିବା ‘ପ୍ରବେଶ ଉତ୍ସବ ଓ ଖଡ଼ିଛୁଆଁ’ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମ ମାଧ୍ୟମରେ ଆମ ପିଲାମାନଙ୍କ ଶୈକ୍ଷିକ ଭବିଷ୍ୟତର ଏକ ନୂତନ ଅଧ୍ୟାୟ ଆରମ୍ଭ ହେବାକୁ ଯାଉଛି। ଶିଶୁ ବାଟିକା ଓ ପ୍ରଥମ ଶ୍ରେଣୀରେ ନାମ ଲେଖାଇବାକୁ ଥିବା ଯୋଗ୍ୟ କୁନି କୁନି ପିଲାମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ମାନ୍ୟବର… pic.twitter.com/ZWMTRg3z0Y

    — CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) March 24, 2026

    This special initiative aims to warmly welcome eligible children enrolling in Shishu Vatika (pre-primary) and Class 1, marking their first step into formal education. The program reflects a strong commitment to nurturing early childhood learning and building a solid academic foundation.

    In a heartfelt gesture, invitation letters from the Hon’ble Chief Minister are being personally delivered to parents by government officials and public representatives. This outreach highlights the importance of community participation in ensuring that every child has access to quality education.

    The event is not just a ceremonial beginning but a meaningful effort to inspire families and encourage enrollment at the foundational level. It emphasizes the collective responsibility of society in shaping an educated and empowered younger generation.

    Citizens are encouraged to actively participate in this noble initiative and contribute to creating a bright educational future for children. By doing so, they play a vital role in building a progressive and prosperous Odisha.