Next Gen Consulting

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  • Amit Shah Launches Delhi’s 70 Lakh Tree Plantation Drive to Boost Green Cover

    New Delhi, July 7: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has launched Delhi’s ambitious 70 lakh tree plantation campaign, aimed at increasing green cover and improving the city’s environmental conditions.

    The large-scale plantation drive seeks to promote ecological conservation, reduce pollution levels, and enhance urban greenery across the national capital. The initiative will involve participation from government departments, local bodies, institutions, and citizens to ensure wider community involvement.

    Addressing the launch event, Shah highlighted the importance of environmental protection and collective efforts in tackling challenges such as air pollution and climate change. He emphasised the need for sustained plantation and maintenance efforts to create a healthier environment for future generations.

    The campaign is part of broader measures to strengthen Delhi’s green infrastructure and encourage public participation in environmental conservation.

    Officials said the success of the initiative will depend not only on planting trees but also on ensuring their long-term care and survival through coordinated efforts among various stakeholders.

  • Delhi-NCR Flex Space Demand Hits Record High in Q2 2026

    New Delhi, July 7: Delhi-NCR recorded its highest-ever quarterly uptake of flexible workspace solutions in the second quarter of 2026, reflecting strong demand for agile office spaces among businesses across sectors.

    The surge in flex space adoption has been driven by the growing preference for flexible leasing models, expansion plans of companies, and the increasing need for ready-to-use, scalable workplace solutions. Startups, enterprises, and multinational companies are increasingly turning to managed workspaces to improve operational efficiency and support evolving work models.

    Industry experts said the record performance highlights the changing dynamics of commercial real estate, with businesses prioritising flexibility, cost optimisation, and employee-focused work environments.

    The growth of flexible office spaces in Delhi-NCR also underscores the region’s expanding business ecosystem, strong infrastructure, and growing attractiveness for domestic and global companies.

    With hybrid work models becoming more prominent and businesses seeking adaptable workplace solutions, the flexible workspace segment is expected to maintain its growth momentum in the coming quarters.

  • Sambalpur University Researchers Develop Promising Herbal Anti-Cancer Formulation from Gandhamardan Medicinal Plants

    Bhubaneswar, July 7 (UDN): Researchers at Sambalpur University have reported a significant breakthrough in cancer research after developing a polyherbal anti-cancer formulation derived from medicinal plants found in Odisha’s Gandhamardan Hills. The formulation has demonstrated encouraging results in pre-clinical animal studies, paving the way for the next phase of human clinical trials.

    Sambalpur University Researchers Develop Promising Herbal Anti-Cancer Formulation from Gandhamardan Medicinal Plants

    Representational image

    The research, undertaken by the Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics in collaboration with the University’s Research Centre of Excellence, began in 2019 with an extensive scientific investigation into the medicinal properties of plants traditionally used in Ayurvedic and indigenous healthcare systems. Nearly 50 medicinal plant species native to the Gandhamardan hills were screened before researchers shortlisted five plants with the most promising anti-cancer properties to develop the formulation.

    According to the research team, laboratory experiments and animal studies yielded highly encouraging outcomes. In pre-clinical trials, laboratory mice with experimentally induced tumours were treated with the herbal formulation for around 35 days, resulting in the complete disappearance of the tumours. Researchers also observed that, unlike conventional chemotherapy, the formulation did not produce any significant adverse effects during the study.

    Head of the Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Prof. Pradeep Nayak, said the successful pre-clinical findings have laid the foundation for human clinical evaluation.

    “An MoU has been signed with the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS). The formulation will now undergo clinical trials on cancer patients. If the outcomes are successful, it could mark a major advancement in cancer treatment,” he said.

    The upcoming clinical studies are expected to be conducted jointly with the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) under the Ministry of AYUSH and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar. Researchers stressed that the formulation’s safety and therapeutic effectiveness can only be scientifically established after rigorous human clinical trials.

    The project was carried out using advanced laboratory facilities at Sambalpur University with active participation from doctoral scholars and research scientists. Cancer cell lines required for the study were sourced from the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune, enabling detailed laboratory investigations into the formulation’s anti-cancer activity.

    Explaining the research methodology, PhD scholar Isara Nayak said the team selected the final five medicinal plants after evaluating their ability to destroy cancer cells while preserving healthy cells. Another researcher, Sekh Abdul, noted that multiple cancer cell samples obtained from NCCS have supported further laboratory validation of the formulation.

    Researchers believe the herbal formulation has the potential to address one of the major limitations of existing cancer therapies. Unlike chemotherapy and radiation, which often damage healthy tissues along with cancer cells, the new formulation is expected to selectively target cancerous cells while minimising harmful side effects. However, they cautioned that these findings must be confirmed through comprehensive clinical studies.

    If the forthcoming human trials prove successful, the polyherbal formulation could emerge as an affordable and effective complementary option for cancer treatment, while highlighting the immense medicinal value of the biodiversity-rich Gandhamardan Hills and the growing contribution of Odisha’s scientific community to healthcare innovation.

  • Experts share how EV batteries could soon power data centers

    Automakers say the batteries that power electric vehicles could provide a new way to store energy to help meet the growing electricity demand from data centers, artificial intelligence, transportation electrification and manufacturing reshoring.

    Last month, Ford Motor Co.’s stock surged after it announced a plan to repurpose electric vehicle, or EV, batteries as energy storage systems for electric utilities and data centers. General Motors later followed suit with plans to develop a new type of battery that could support data centers and increase vehicle-to-grid capabilities. 

    Virginia Tech engineering experts Ali Mehrizi-Sani and Samji Samira explain how EV batteries could help power data centers and support the ever-increasing energy demands.

    Why are EV batteries attracting so much attention in the power space right now?

    “AI training and inference require far greater computational resources than traditional cloud computing and therefore much more electricity,” said Mehrizi-Sani, director of the Power and Energy Center at Virginia Tech. “Repurposed EV batteries offer a potentially lower-cost and already-available way to deploy energy storage.” 

    He added, “While an older battery may no longer meet the performance requirements of a vehicle, it can still provide valuable storage capacity in stationary applications. For data centers, these batteries can help shave peak demand and smooth large load variations.”

    What makes lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries ideal for power generation?

    “Batteries enhance both reliability (preventing downtime and data loss) and resilience (enabling continued operation during power disruptions), making them an essential component of modern data centers,” said Samira, assistant professor of chemical engineering.

    These batteries are ideal for use in data centers because they are efficient, have a high-energy density, a long lifespan, and have operational advantages over traditional lead-acid batteries.

    “Lithium-ion batteries can store more data in a smaller footprint, and they have a long lifespan and high cycle life,” Samira said. “Think about a cell phone: An iPhone battery typically lasts four to six years before needing replacement. From a data center perspective, this reduces replacement frequency and maintenance costs.”

    However, current lithium-ion technology is approaching its practical performance limits, particularly in terms of energy density, Samira added.

    “The current generation of lithium-ion batteries has been extremely enabling for our society, which resulted in the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2019 for its inventors,” he said.. “Given the insatiable need of humanity and data centers to store more energy per unit mass, we will need to move beyond them.”

  • KIIT Founder Dr. Achyuta Samanta Honoured with Prestigious AAPI Award in the US

    Bhubaneswar, July 7 (UDN): Eminent educationist and social reformer Dr. Achyuta Samanta, founder of KIIT, KIMS and KISS, has been conferred the prestigious AAPI Award 2026 by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to social service, humanitarian initiatives and strengthening India–US relations.

    KIIT Founder Dr. Achyuta Samanta Honoured with Prestigious AAPI Award in the US

    The award was presented during AAPICON 2026, the 44th Annual Convention and Congress of AAPI, held in Tampa, Florida, from July 2 to 5. The honour was bestowed by AAPI President Dr. Amit Chakrabarty in the presence of nearly 3,000 physicians and healthcare professionals from across the United States.

    One of the largest and most influential organisations of physicians of Indian origin, AAPI represents more than 120,000 Indian-origin doctors in the United States. The association recognised Dr. Samanta for his visionary leadership in expanding access to education and healthcare, his philanthropic initiatives for underprivileged communities and his continued efforts to strengthen collaboration between India and the United States.

    According to the organisers, the award also acknowledged Dr. Samanta’s valuable support to the Global Health Summit 2026 and his sustained commitment to humanitarian causes through institutions such as the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) and the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS).

    Addressing the gathering after receiving the honour, Dr. Samanta urged members of AAPI to contribute to India’s healthcare sector by volunteering their expertise. He appealed to Indian-origin physicians to devote a few days each month to providing medical consultation and healthcare services in India, particularly in underserved regions.

    Responding positively to the proposal, AAPI leaders expressed their willingness to encourage member physicians to participate in such initiatives, with many indicating their readiness to spend between one and two weeks annually offering voluntary medical services in India.

    The latest recognition adds to Dr. Samanta’s long list of national and international honours and highlights the global impact of his work in education, healthcare, social empowerment and community development.

  • Gujarat Health Centres Clear 5 Lakh Unused Items in Cleanliness Drive

    Gandhinagar, July 7: Health facilities across Gujarat have removed more than five lakh unused and obsolete items as part of a statewide cleanliness campaign aimed at improving hygiene and strengthening healthcare management.

    The drive focused on clearing unnecessary materials, outdated equipment, and unused resources from hospitals and health centres to create cleaner and more organised spaces for patients and healthcare workers.

    Officials said the initiative will help improve resource utilisation, optimise available space, and enhance the overall functioning of healthcare facilities across the state.

    The campaign is part of Gujarat’s efforts to promote better maintenance practices and improve the quality of healthcare services for citizens.

  • TN Upgrades Pongal Dhotis and Sarees Scheme for 2027

    Chennai, July 7: The Tamil Nadu government has announced a revamp of its free Pongal dhotis and sarees scheme for 2027, with a focus on improved fabric quality, new colour options, and updated designs.

    The upgraded garments will be provided to beneficiaries as part of the annual Pongal welfare initiative, aimed at ensuring better quality products while continuing support for eligible families across the state.

    Officials said the changes are being introduced to enhance beneficiary satisfaction and modernise the traditional festive scheme. The government is also working on production and distribution arrangements to ensure timely supply ahead of Pongal 2027.

    The initiative continues Tamil Nadu’s efforts to combine welfare support with encouragement for the textile sector through large-scale garment production and distribution.

  • Spain Knock Portugal Out of FIFA World Cup 2026 as Ronaldo’s Campaign Ends in Round of 16

    July 7, 2026: Spain advanced to the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after securing a dramatic 1-0 victory over Portugal in the Round of 16, bringing an end to Cristiano Ronaldo’s campaign in the tournament.

    The closely contested encounter saw both teams battle for control, with neither side able to break the deadlock during regular time. Spain finally found the breakthrough in the 91st minute when substitute Mikel Merino scored a late winner to seal victory and send Portugal out of the competition.

    Despite Portugal’s efforts to find an equaliser, Spain’s defence held firm in the closing moments to secure a place in the quarter-finals. The defeat marked a disappointing exit for Ronaldo-led Portugal in front of a packed crowd in Dallas.

    The match also added another chapter to Cristiano Ronaldo’s celebrated international career, as Portugal’s World Cup journey came to an end after a hard-fought knockout clash.

    Spain will now move forward with renewed confidence as they continue their pursuit of the World Cup title, while Portugal bow out after a determined campaign on the global stage.

  • Adani Foundation Joins Andhra Pradesh’s Mission to Strengthen Rural Livelihoods

    July 7: The Adani Foundation has joined hands with the Government of Andhra Pradesh’s P4 (Public-Private-People Partnership) initiative to support livelihood enhancement and promote inclusive development across the state.

    The partnership aims to strengthen community-based development by bringing together government support, private sector expertise, and public participation to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for vulnerable communities.

    Under the initiative, the Adani Foundation will contribute towards programmes focused on improving income opportunities, enhancing skills, and supporting social and economic empowerment. The collaboration is expected to help communities gain better access to resources, training, and opportunities for sustainable growth.

    The P4 initiative is designed to encourage collective participation from different stakeholders to address development challenges and accelerate progress at the grassroots level. By combining government efforts with corporate social responsibility initiatives, the programme seeks to create a stronger support system for communities.

    The partnership reflects the growing role of public-private collaborations in driving inclusive development and strengthening livelihood opportunities for people across Andhra Pradesh.

  • India Has Potential to Become the World’s ‘Connector Economy’: Anand Mahindra

    New Delhi, July 7: Industrialist Anand Mahindra has said that India has the potential to emerge as the world’s “connector economy” by leveraging its strategic position, economic strength, and ability to bridge global markets.

    Speaking on India’s evolving role in the global economic landscape, Mahindra highlighted the country’s growing importance as a link between major economies, businesses, and supply chains. He emphasised that India’s demographic advantage, expanding manufacturing capabilities, and innovation ecosystem could help it play a larger role in global trade and commerce.

    He noted that as global businesses look to diversify supply chains and explore new growth opportunities, India is well-positioned to attract investment and strengthen its position as a trusted economic partner.

    Mahindra also underlined the importance of continued focus on infrastructure development, skill enhancement, technological advancement, and policy reforms to support sustainable economic growth.

    The comments come amid India’s increasing engagement with global markets and its efforts to establish itself as a key player in international trade. A stronger role as a connector economy could provide new opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, and industries across sectors.

    With its expanding market, growing innovation capabilities, and strategic global position, India is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of the global economy.