Kozhikode: The newly built Cultural Centre by VKC Charitable Foundation was opened at Nallalam Bazar. Minister PA Muhammad Riyas inaugurated the facility. Former minister MV Govindan Master was the chief guest. Situated in 16.5 cents of land, the Cultural Centre has the facilities such as library, Fitness land, Happy land, Study centre, theatre, mini meeting hall meant for recreational and cultural activities.

VKC Charitable Foundation Managing Chairman VKC Mammad Koya presided over the function. Kozhikode Corporation Councillors Maimuna, Rafina Anwar, VKC Charitable Foundation Trustee VKC Razak, V Muhammad Kutty, V Muhammad, VKC Group Directors MA Premraj, and KC Chacko were present.

Angamaly  : Dr. R. Bindu, Minister of Higher Education and Social Justice, Government of Kerala inaugurated the installation of the 4th generation robotic-assisted system (RAS), Da Vinci Xi at Apollo Adlux Hospital in Kochi. The hospital chain has expanded their RAS network, further yielding better clinical outcomes from their existing robotic-assisted surgery units across the country.
While speaking at the launch event, Dr. R Bindu, Minister of Higher Education, Government of Kerala, said, “I am honored to inaugurate the installation of one of the most advanced robotic-assisted surgery systems, Da Vinci Xi at Apollo Adlux Hospital. This groundbreaking technology marks a significant milestone in healthcare advancements, bringing unparalleled precision and safety to surgical procedures. By embracing innovation, Kerala once again proved its commitment to enhancing the quality of healthcare and ensuring our patients receive the best possible outcomes. This remarkable achievement underscores Apollo Adlux’s dedication to fostering cutting-edge research and transformative technologies in the field of surgery.”
Robotic-assisted surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that helps patients return to their everyday life much faster. The Da Vinci technology, known for its better patient outcomes, is also associated with lesser pain, less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and even minimal post-operative complications in certain cases. In addition to that, Da Vinci brings across some innovative features including voice and laser guidance systems, a lightweight endoscope, and the same control console and 3D optics system that lets surgeons see into the patients as they operate the device. This system employs tiny instruments that mimic the movements of a human hand but with a wider range of motion. Surgeons benefit from the system’s built-in tremor-filtration technology, which enables precise, smooth maneuvering of each instrument. These benefits go a long way in enabling the surgeon and care teams in providing life-enhancing care for their patients.
“We are proud to introduce the revolutionary Da Vinci Xi robotic system at Apollo Adlux Hospital. This remarkable technology represents a new era in surgical excellence, empowering our highly skilled team of surgeons to perform complex procedures with unprecedented precision and control. With its advanced capabilities and enhanced visualization, the Da Vinci Xi will elevate the standards of patient care, enabling faster recovery times, reduced complications, and improved surgical outcomes. We are excited about the tremendous impact this state-of-the-art robotic system will have in transforming the future of surgery.” – Sudheesan Puzhekadavil, MD, Apollo Adlux Hospital
This installation will help get better clinical outcomes across multiple surgeries that are performed at the Department of Gynaecology, Surgical Gastroenterology, and Urology. Over 90% of patients can return home on the same day of surgery, ensuring a swift recovery period.
“We are thrilled to launch one of the most advanced RAS systems, Da Vinci Xi by US based Intuitive, at Apollo Adlux Hospital, Kochi. This 4th generation system empowers surgeons with enhanced accuracy and control. This cutting-edge technology will revolutionize our surgical procedures, ensuring unparalleled precision, safety, and exceptional outcomes for our valued patients. We are committed to providing the highest quality healthcare, and this remarkable addition further solidifies our dedication to innovation and excellence in medical care”, says Sudarshan B, CEO of Apollo Adlux Hospital.
While talking at the launch event, Dr. Elizabeth Jacob, Senior Consultant & HOD, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Dr. Urmila Soman, Senior Consultant, Minimally Invasive Gynaecology and Robotic Surgery at Apollo Adlux said, “When we do gynecological procedures like partial or radical hysterectomies through open surgery, we need to make large incisions, which increases the risk of surgical site infections. However, with robotic-assisted surgery, we just need to make small incisions which helps reduce the threat of surgical site infections in these procedures and prevent other infections during the patient’s recovery.” Dr. P Roy John, Senior Consultant & HOD, Urology at Apollo Adlux, said, “Robotic-assisted urology surgeries help the patient to return to their normal life in just a few days. With other forms of surgeries, it takes the patient around 6-8 weeks to recover, which increases hospital stay and costs to the patient.” Dr. Manoj Ayyapath, Senior Consultant & HOD, Surgical Gastroenterology, and Dr. Kartik Kulshrestha, Consultant, Surgical Gastroenterology at Apollo Adlux, together pointed out the significant impact of RAS in the field of gastroenterology, saying, “Treating GI cancers are much simpler with robotic-assisted surgery systems as these systems help with a magnified vision and easier movements, which helps preserve and improve lymph node yield and reduce nerve palsy rate.”
Currently, the hospital provides RAS procedures such as TLH+BSO, Lap Pectopexy, and Lap Myomectomy in Gynaecology. Surgical Gastroenterology offers Lap Hemicolectomy, APR, LAR, Hepatectomy, Lap Cholecystectomy, Radical Cholecystectomy, TAPP, TEPP, Lap Fundoplication, Lap Inguinal Hernia Repair, Lap Umbilical Hernia Repair, and Whipple Procedure. Urology procedures include Lap Nephrectomy, Lap Adrenalectomy, Lap Prostatectomy, and Partial Nephrectomy.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Integrated Simulator Complex (ISC) ‘Dhruv’ at Southern Naval Command, Kochi on June 21, 2023. The ISC ‘Dhruv’ hosts modern state-of-the-art indigenously-built simulators which will significantly enhance practical training in the Indian Navy. These simulators are envisaged to give real-time experience on navigation, fleet operations and Naval tactics. These simulators will also be utilised for training of personnel from friendly countries.

Amongst the many simulators envisaged in the complex, the Raksha Mantri visited Multi-Station Handling Simulator (MSSHS), Air Direction and Helicopter Control
Simulator (ADHCS) and Astronavigation Dome. The Ship Handling Simulators produced by ARI Pvt Ltd, New Delhi have been exported to 18 countries. The Astronavigation Dome developed by Infovision Technologies Pvt Ltd is the first-of-its-kind in the Indian Navy.

The ADHCS – developed by Institute for Systems Studies and Analysis, a DRDO laboratory – would be able to provide real-time operational environment scenario to trainees. These technologically advanced simulators are indicative of the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative and promise great defence export potential for the nation. Some of the other indigenously developed simulators in the Complex include Combat Management System and Maritime Domain Awareness Lab.

During the inauguration, Shri Rajnath Singh also interacted with senior representatives from the firms involved in the development of these simulators.

According to the CEO of Arenq, VG Anil, 200 electric autos are currently under production and are set to be distributed across India. The electric vehicles will be equipped with long-life lithium batteries, while the motor and controllers will be sourced from Chennai-based Lucas TVS. Arenq has also entered into a three-year contract with the supplier. The company will provide remote monitoring systems and roadside assistance with a three-year service warranty for all vehicles.

“Our team can monitor the status of each vehicle through the remote monitoring system, including the battery capacity, how long it will run on the current charge, the vehicle’s location, and any other complaints. We are collaborating with a start-up company called Ready Assist to provide better roadside assistance to vehicle buyers. Their service is available in 90 percent of areas in India, particularly in Kerala. As a result, we have started efforts to sell as many autos as possible in Kerala. We are also ready to provide service to KAL vehicles released before our association and are discussing that matter with KAL,” said Arenq Business Head Manoj Sundaram.

Arenq, which initially specialized in the production of UPS and solar batteries, has since expanded its business throughout India, now supplying motors and controllers with capacities of 1 to 15 kilowatts for electric bikes, autos, and pickup vans, as part of an agreement with Lucas TVS. Initially, the partnership aims to sell fifty thousand units a year. The company’s long-term vision is to bring about significant change in the electric vehicle market in the coming years through data collection and analysis from battery management systems in collaboration with leading technology company RDL Technologies.

ALIGARH : The Law Society of the Aligarh Muslim University Malappuram Centre, Kerala organized a national conference on “Changing Dimensions of Law in the Era of Digital Technology”.

In his inaugural address, Prof Iqbal Ali Khan (Coordinator, Nodal Centre, AMU Centres) stressed the need to strike a balance between technology and the practice of law. He gave an insight into the digital and technological changes in regular legal proceedings, this adding that these changes will help recover the backlog of cases during the pandemic.

In his presidential remarks, Prof Mohammad Ashraf (Dean, Faculty of Law and Chairman, Department of Law) highlighted the threats of online bullying, new forms of cybercrime and increasing civil liberties as legitimate concerns of the digital age. He discussed how the digital era challenges the traditional approach of practising law and removes complexities arising out of it.

Earlier, welcoming the guests and speakers, Dr Faisal KP (Director, Aligarh Muslim University Malappuram Center) highlighted the main features of the conference and discussed the significance of the digital revolution as a medium to take down the constraints of time and space in legal proceedings.

Dr Shahnawaz Ahmad Malik (Coordinator, Department of Law, AMUMC) discussed the objectives of the conference and extended the vote of thanks.

Dr. Naseema P.K, Dr. Amir Yusuf Wagay and Dr. Shally Victor were the conveners of the programme.

Tuba Khan conducted the programme.

The first day of the 2nd G20 Sherpa Meeting began with an all-day focus on the critical role of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in improving development outcomes and India’s vast experience in implementing DPI at scale in the past decade. The Side Event was organized by the G20 Secretariat in partnership with NASSCOM, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL).

India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant along with NASSCOM President Debjani Ghosh inaugurated the DPI Experience Zone in the presence of Sherpas and delegates from G20 members, invited countries and international organisations. Demonstrating India’s DPI success story, the immersive Digital India Experience zone highlighted key DPIs developed by India for addressing crucial issues such as digital identity, financial inclusion, and equitable access to education and health. Various population-scale DPIs of India Stack such as Aadhar, Co-Win, UPI, DigiLocker, BHASHINI and others were showcased in the experience zone. The experience zone also saw the presence of private sector enterprises such as Google, Microsoft, PayTM, Fractaboo, AWS and TCS, which showcased the innovation potential of DPI.

The Side Event commenced with an inaugural address by India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant who noted the crucial role of DPI in providing inclusive access to public services effectively and efficiently. He emphasized the achievements and huge strides India has made in past few years in the Digital domain and highlighted the potential benefit of adoption of DPIs globally, especially in developing countries and the Least Developed Countries. Sherpa Kant underlined the open standards, open API, and interoperability as the hallmarks of India’s DPI.

The event started with a special session on the importance and need of DPIs titled ‘Why DPI?’ and was followed by three sessions on (1) ‘How DPI Delivers for People, Planet and Prosperity’, (2) ‘DPI in the Global Context – How different countries are approaching DPIs and key learnings’, and (3) ‘Scaling DPI: Challenges & Opportunities’.

Two Spotlight Sessions were also held to showcase (a) ‘Presentation on DPI Financing Gap’; and (b) discuss ‘How DPI is fueling the start-up ecosystem – Investor + Founder’.

The special session “Why DPI?” started with virtual messages from eminent global leaders Nandan Nilekani, Co-founder & Chairman of Board, Infosys and Thierry Bretton, Commissioner for Internal Market of the European Union who addressed the participants on the utility of DPIs and India’s ambitious DPI agenda during its G20 Presidency. The special address included a joint presentation by Ms. Priya Vohra, Managing Director, Digital Impact Alliance, Washington DC, USA, and Mr. Pramod Varma, Ex-Chief Architect Aadhaar and India Stack, CTO EkStep Foundation who explained to the audience the transformational role of DPIs in diverse sectors and its architectural and economic aspects.

Thereafter, the thematic session on “DPIs: Delivering For People, Plant and Prosperity” was chaired by Siddharth Tiwari, Fellow, Chatham House, London with the participation of panelists: Anant Maheshwari, President Microsoft India; Jean-Philbert Nsengimana, DIAL & Africa CDC; Konstantin Peric, Deputy Director, Financial Services for the Poor, BMGF; Padmaja Ruparel, Founding Partner, IAN Fund and Peter Rabley, PLACE Fund. The panelists discussed the role of DPIs in driving competition, markets, innovation and inclusion while impacting health, education, food security and climate adaptation.

The second session titled “DPI in the Global Context – How different countries are approaching DPIs and key learnings” was moderated by Pramod Varma, Ex-Chief Architect Aadhaar and India Stack, CTO EkStep Foundation. The panelists in this session included Dilip Asbe, CEO NPCI, India; Jonathan Marskell, Digital Identity, World Bank; Diana Sang, Associate Director, Strategic Engagements & Partnerships, Digital Impact Alliance at the UN Foundation; Keyzom, Chief Digital Officer, UNDP and Björn Richter, Head of Digital Programming, Digital Transformation, GIZ. They shared key global examples of DPI application and experiences from developing countries that are of relevance to both developed and developing countries. Importance of DPIs in ensuring resilience in crisis situations, massive innovation potential and transformative social and economic impact by using Open Technology Standards and DPI based on interoperable technology layers was discussed in detail during this session.

The third session focussed on the issue of scaling up DPIs efficiently for large-scale developmental gains. The session included Rodger Voorhies, Global President, Global Growth & Opportunities, BMGF as the Chair and Saurabh Garg, CEO UIDAI; Abhishek Singh, CEO, Digital India Corporation, NeGD& MyGov; Teki Akuetteh, Founder & Executive Director at the Africa Digital Rights’ Hub; Kay McGowan, Senior Director for Policy & Advocacy, Digital Impact Alliance; and Ambarish Kenghe, Vice President, GooglePay as Panellists. They discussed how scaling up DPIs needs a public-private collaboration approach based on principles such as trust, accessibility, affordability and user consent.

The side event included two Spotlight Sessions. The first Spotlight Session was led by Chrissy Martin Meier, Director, Charter for DPGs, DIAL who made a presentation on financing safe, inclusive and trusted public infrastructure and the costs associated with developing foundational DPI that works for a competitive market, innovation and inclusion. The second Spotlight Session focussed on the role of DPI in fueling the start-up ecosystem. The session was chaired by Debjani Ghosh, President- NASSCOM. The panelists comprised Melissa Frakman, Investor, Emphasis Ventures; Sucharita Mukherjee, Kaleidofin, CEO & Co-Founder; and Jatin Singh, Founder, Gram Cover. The panel called for increasing private investments in foundational DPIs and stressed the need for continued financing beyond the initial investments for long-term revenue generation.

The day-long session ended with a closing by Joint Secretary G20 Nagaraj Naidu who highlighted the tremendous promise that DPI holds in accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals: from cash transfers and food distribution to e-commerce and innovative models of education and healthcare delivery.

With India emerging as a global digital center, its leadership in building inclusive public technologies has not only empowered the nation but also opened a plethora of related businesses and opportunities. DPI systems have become critical foundation to enabling meaningful delivery of public and private services and underpinning the achievement of a range of SDGs, including poverty reduction, financial inclusion, women’s economic empowerment, and climate resilience.

Digital Public Infrastructure is one of the key priorities during India’s G20 Presidency. It is a cross-cutting theme across various Working Groups including Digital Economy, Health, Education and Global Partnership for Financial inclusion.

The Plenary sessions of G20 Sherpa meeting will commence tomorrow. Shri V Muraleedharan, Hon’ble MoS for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs will deliver special remarks at its opening session.

Mumbai: President Droupadi Murmu paid a visit to Mata Amritanandanmayi Devi at Mata Amritanandanmayi Math in Amritapuri during her six-day visit to Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Lakshadweep. The President was welcomed by Swamiji Amritaswarupananda Puri, the Vice-Chairman of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math at the ashram gate. The Sannyasinis of the Ashram extended customary Indian Hospitality by adorning the Honourable President with a Tilak, garlanding her, and presenting her with a shawl.

During her visit, President Murmu had a half-hour meeting with Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, also known as Amma. Arif Mohammad Khan, The Governor of the State; Afsana Parween, Kollam District Collector; R. Nishanthini, Thiruvananthapuram Range DIG and Merin Joseph, Kollam City Police Commissioner accompanied the President for the visit. Dr. Maneesha V Ramesh, Provost of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, gave a brief walkthrough to the guests on the humanitarian initiatives of the Ashram, highlighting its impact across the world.

Later, the President visited the Bhavatarini Temple of the Ashram and held an informal meeting with six members of Mexico’s Parliament who were visiting Amma as part of the Civil 20 (C20) and Group of 20 (G20) initiatives. Amma is Chair of C20, an official engagement group of India’s G20 Presidency that represents civil society and non-governmental organisations.

The portals were launched at a high-powered event at Amrita University, attended by dignitaries like Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Vaidya Jayant Deopujari, Chairman, NCISM, and Dr. Kousthubha Upadhyaya, Advisor, from Ministry of AYUSH; Dr. Tanuja Nesari, Director, All India Institute of Ayurveda; Dr.Maneesha Vinodini Ramesh, Provost, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Dr. Venkat Rangan, Vice Chancellor, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham; and Swami Sankaramirtananda Puri, Dean, Amrita School of Ayurveda.

The e-MAP project is an interactive portal that provides comprehensive information related to Panchakarma. It includes a learning module featuring lesson plans, sloka recitations, illustrative animations, and self-assessment aids on UG and PG Panchakarma syllabi. It also offers standardized videos of various clinically practiced Panchakarma procedures and a directory search for information related to faculties, postgraduates, publications, dissertations, and colleges offering Panchakarma PG, PhD, and equipment suppliers. The project is led by team Dr. Parameswaran Namboothiri, Professor, Panchakarma, School of Ayurveda, Amritapuri.

The AyurCel project is a clinical learning tool to make the clinical experiences of successful Ayurveda clinicians available in a digital format to facilitate continuous clinical learning. It offers case studies, modules for post-publication review of published case reports, and a preprint server for fast-track publication of the first draft of case reports. The doctors can use the portal to share their treatment experiences.The project is led by a team unde Dr. P Rammanohar, Research Director, Amrita Centre for Advanced Research in Ayurveda (ĀCĀRA), School of Ayurveda, Amritapuri.

Delivering the inaugural address, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, said: “Ayurveda has a wide range of research possibilities, and we should utilize them to the full. I welcome the launch of these two authentic digital reference initiatives related to studies in Ayurveda. The Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth of Ministry of AYUSH collaborate with Amrita School of Ayurveda in various fields related to Ayurveda treatment and research.”

Swami Sankaramritananda Puri, Dean, Amrita School of Ayurveda, said: “We are excited to launch the e-MAP and AyurCeL portals for the Ayurvedic community. These will help students, practitioners, and researchers access the latest information related to Panchakarma and Ayurvedic clinical practice. Our goal is to facilitate learning and innovation in Ayurveda through digital tools and platforms. These two portals are part of Amrita School of Ayurveda’s commitment to promoting excellence in Ayurvedic education and research. They are accessible to anyone interested in Ayurveda and are designed to be user-friendly and easy to navigate.”

Dr.Prema Nedungadi, Director, AmritaCREATE, Amritapuri | Chairperson, School of Computing, Amritapuri (Chair ,EDT C20 Working group), said “The aim of the joint project by Amrita Centre for Advanced Research in Ayurveda (ĀCĀRA) and Amrita CREATE is to develop a clinical e-learning platform. This platform will gather the real clinical experiences of physicians, transform them into data, and organize them in a structured manner. The result will be an interactive learning environment that will undergo a rigorous review by an expert team. The platform will provide continued clinical education in the field of Ayurveda through the contributions of experts, including the Panel of Contributors and Clinicians of Amrita School of Ayurveda Published Case Reports. Essentially, this project aims to create an ecosystem for the domain and for future generations of clinicians, practitioners, and researchers.”

Dr. Dinesh T.A, Hospital Administrator, Professor & HOD, Dept. of Hospital Administration, Amrita Hospital, received the Award on behalf of the institution from Shri. KN Balagopal, Honorable Minister for Finance, Government of Kerala.

The ‘Made in Kerala’ Awards from FICCI honor the best performers from the state in various business sectors, which have exhibited high standards of excellence. A jury comprising economists and leading personalities selected the awardees from each category.

Said Dr. Prem Nair, Group Medical Director, Amrita Hospitals, Kochi, “in this 25th year of excellence in the healthcare industry of ours, we are delighted and honored to have received this prestigious award from FICCI. It is a recognition of the high standards of excellence in healthcare that we offer to thousands of patients every day. The dedication and commitment to ensuring medical excellence and optimum outcomes by our staffs is significant in this achievement and would not have been possible without their hard work.”

Dr. Dinesh T.A, Hospital Administrator, Professor & HOD, Dept. of Hospital Administration, Amrita Hospital, Kochi added that, “Amrita Hospital is one of the largest Quaternary Care University Teaching Hospital in Kerala that caters to an average of 1 million outpatients every year, along with more than 76,000 in-patients. Over 22,000 surgeries are conducted annually at the university teaching hospital that has a captive student strength of more than 3,000 students. It holds the distinction of being a highly regarded academic institution in the medical field with more than 400 publications per year.”