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Azadi for AI: How OpenxAI is Powering India’s Leap into Decentralized Artificial Intelligence

Azadi for AI: How OpenxAI is Powering India’s Leap into Decentralized Artificial Intelligence

New Delhi [India], August 20: In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, a quiet revolution is underway–one that rejects surveillance, paywalls, and corporate gatekeeping in favor of freedom, fairness, and self-sovereignty. At the heart of this global uprising is OpenxAI, a decentralized AI infrastructure that empowers anyone, anywhere to build, launch, and own intelligent applications–without asking for permission.

While most AI platforms today are centralized, expensive, and designed for the Western world, OpenxAI is designed differently: it is permissionless, open-source, and powered by real-world decentralized infrastructure. With 80% cheaper compute and cloud services compared to AWS or Google Cloud, and a suite of free AI tools and apps, OpenxAI is unlocking access to AI for millions–especially in emerging markets like India.

Why India? Why Now?

India has over 6 million developers, a rapidly growing Web3 ecosystem, and one of the largest student populations in the world. Yet, the vast majority of AI startups and builders face enormous barriers. Today’s AI landscape–dominated by U.S.-based SaaS platforms and cloud giants–requires access to credit cards, high subscription fees, legal incorporation, and financial infrastructure. In short, it’s built for the few, not the many.

But OpenxAI changes the equation.

Thanks to blockchain and Web3, developers in India can now go from idea to income in minutes–not months. No need for a credit card processor. No need for a company registration. No need for a corporate bank account.

Instead of building a traditional SaaS stack:

– Use OpenxAI’s on-chain wrapper to accept payments.

– Use crypto wallets to receive revenue from global users in USDC and stablecoins.

– Use Web3 authentication to control access and protect your model IP–your server becomes unreadable and inaccessible to anyone but you.

This means any Indian developer–from a student in Jaipur to a solo founder in Hyderabad–can now launch their own AI app, chatbot, or agent and offer it globally. All from a laptop. All without intermediaries. All at a fraction of the cost.

The OpenxAI Global Accelerator: Powering the Next Generation of AI Startups

To nurture this new wave of builders, OpenxAI has launched the Global Accelerator, a first-of-its-kind program for decentralized AI startups. Participants get free infrastructure credits, ecosystem visibility, technical mentorship, and a pathway to funding–all while maintaining full control over their models, data, and app monetization.

Unlike other accelerators that tie startups to cloud vendor lock-ins or demand equity, OpenxAI’s approach is different: your models live on decentralized GPU nodes. Your ownership is tokenized. Your earnings are automatic. You retain the power.

And India is a core focus. Applications are open at accelerator.openxai.org, and the next generation of AI unicorns could emerge from Indian bedrooms, dorm rooms, or co-working spaces.

Hacknode India: A Launchpad for Builders

To spark this movement, OpenxAI is hosting Hacknode India, a 30-day online hackathon running throughout August. With a $5,000 prize pool, open participation, and a focus on AI x Web3, Hacknode India is a launchpad for indie devs, students, and startup founders.

The top 10 winning teams will be fast-tracked into the Global Accelerator–giving them global visibility, platform support, and a chance to scale their AI ideas without centralized gatekeepers.

Projects can include:

– LLM-powered bots and agents

– AI-powered decentralized apps

– On-chain prediction, analytics, or automation tools

– Any intelligent application deployed on the OpenxAI stack

This is more than a hackathon–it’s a signal to the world that India isn’t just consuming AI, it’s creating it.

A Break From the Old World

The reality is, most AI platforms today are still built on outdated assumptions: that you must be incorporated, that you must pay monthly to experiment, that you must follow data-sharing terms written in Silicon Valley boardrooms. OpenxAI is tearing those assumptions apart.

Here’s what makes it different:

– Decentralized Compute: All apps run on DePIN infrastructure. No reliance on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.

– Censorship Resistance: Once deployed, your AI model cannot be shut down by any company or regulator. Only the owner can control access.

– Tokenized Ownership: Your app is an on-chain asset. You earn from staking, royalties, and usage, transparently.

– No Legal Bloat: You don’t need a bank, company, or legal counsel to launch your AI business. All tools are built-in.

With OpenxAI, AI becomes a public good–not a gated SaaS product.

The Path Forward

India is not just a participant in the AI revolution. With tools like OpenxAI, it can become a global leader.

We believe AI is the new electricity. But electricity wasn’t meant to be owned by a handful of companies. It’s meant to flow freely–powering communities, builders, and innovators everywhere.

OpenxAI is making sure that’s true for artificial intelligence, too.

Join the movement.

Hacknode India is live at blockseblock.com from August 1-30, 2025. The future of AI isn’t gated–it’s open.

Svadharma Launches India’s First Integrated Career & Talent Growth Platform: From Mock Tests to Jobs – All in One Place

Svadharma Launches India’s First Integrated Career & Talent Growth Platform: From Mock Tests to Jobs – All in One Place

Bengaluru, India – 20-08-2025: In a country where over 300 million students and millions of job seekers face a challenging and competitive career journey, Svadharma has launched a one-stop digital platform to help people prepare, grow, and succeed – from school to senior corporate roles.

Combining mock testing for all levels, psychometric assessment, career counselling, recruitment services, and digital marketing expertise, Svadharma aims to redefine how India approaches education-to-employment.

The Challenge: A Broken Career Pipeline

India produces more graduates than any other country, yet a large percentage remain unemployed or underemployed. The reasons?

Students often choose the wrong career path due to lack of guidance.

Exam preparation is fragmented and stressful.

Recruiters struggle to find candidates with the right fit.

Institutions lack data-driven insights into student strengths.

“We saw a massive gap between talent and opportunity,” says Milind Aihole, Co-Founder of Svadharma and a seasoned recruitment leader with over two decades of experience in global talent acquisition. “Students are testing in isolation, professionals are applying blindly, and recruiters are hiring without true psychometric insights. We decided to fix all of it, in one place.”

The Svadharma Solution

The platform is India’s first to blend academic preparation tools with professional growth enablers.

  • Mock Testing for Every Level – From Grade 1 to PhD, Svadharma offers smart, adaptive mock tests for school exams, competitive entrances, government jobs, and professional certifications, using AI analytics to pinpoint weaknesses.
  • Psychometric Assessments – Scientifically designed tests reveal strengths, personality traits, and ideal career paths.
  • Career Counselling & Guidance – Expert counsellors provide personalised roadmaps, including 1:1 mentorship sessions and actionable growth plans.
  • Recruitment Services – For employers, Svadharma enables precision hiring using psychometric data and skills testing. Job seekers get a profile boost with verified results and endorsements.
  • Digital Marketing Services – Institutions and businesses can use Svadharma’s marketing team to amplify brand reach and attract the right audience.

Why Svadharma Stands Out

  • All-in-One Approach – No other Indian platform combines these services under one roof.
  • AI & Data-Driven Insights – Deep analytics make preparation and hiring smarter.
  • For Students and Professionals – Grows with you from school to leadership roles.
  • Industry Expertise – Led by seasoned professionals in recruitment, HR, and digital growth.

India’s Education & Employment Future

The timing couldn’t be better. As National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 promotes holistic, skill-based learning, Svadharma aligns perfectly with its vision.

With the rise of remote work and global hiring, Indian talent is competing worldwide. “Our mission is to give every learner and job seeker the tools to win, not just participate,” says Milind Aihole. “This isn’t just another ed-tech or HR-tech platform; this is India’s career compass.”

Impact Potential

  • Students gain clarity on careers, ace exams, and build confidence.
  • Parents get scientific insights into their child’s abilities.
  • Institutions improve student outcomes and placement rates.
  • Employers get better hiring matches, saving time and reducing attrition.
  • Businesses leverage proven digital marketing to grow faster.

Early Adopters Speak

One final-year engineering student shared:

“I used to jump between multiple apps for test prep, aptitude tests, and job hunting. Svadharma brought it all together. After my psychometric test, I realised I was chasing the wrong job profile. Today, I’m preparing for a role I’m truly suited for – and acing the mock tests.”

How to Join

The platform is live at www.svadharma.co.in, with free sign-up for early users and onboarding packages for institutions and recruiters.

For partnerships and media inquiries:

info@svadharma.co.in

+91-9964440346, +91-9845811190

About Svadharma

Founded by Mr Keshav Reddy and Milind Aihole, Svadharma is a Bengaluru-based career and talent development platform committed to helping individuals and organisations realise their full potential. The name “Svadharma” comes from Sanskrit, meaning “one’s true path or duty” – exactly what the platform helps users discover and achieve.

Aquigen Bio Sciences Pioneers Sustainable Biotech Solutions Amid Rising Global Demand and Critical Supply Chain Needs

Aquigen Bio Sciences Pioneers Sustainable Biotech Solutions Amid Rising Global Demand and Critical Supply Chain Needs

August 04, 2025 – Pune, India – Aquigen Bio Sciences is proud to be a pioneer in a new era of sustainable biotechnology, designed to meet the increasing global demand for advanced scientific solutions while strengthening critical pharmaceutical and industrial supply chains. As a leading Contract Research Organization, Aquigen Bio Sciences continues to set industry standards with its commitment to innovation, reliability, and safety across the biotechnology landscape.

“Our mission has alays been to empoer researchers and innovators across the globe. By focusing on sustainable practices and scientific rigor, Aquigen Bio Sciences delivers solutions our clients can truly trust. From API & Intermediates to the most advanced impurity standards and custom synthesis projects, our passionate team is dedicated to pioneering innovation hile maintaining the highest ethical and quality benchmarks,” said the CEO of Aquigen Bio Sciences, emphasizing the company’s unwavering commitment to scientific excellence, global compliance, and the long-term well-being of patients and the planet.

Innovation and Excellence in API & Intermediates

Aquigen Bio Impurity supplier and manufacturer is uniquely positioned to assist pharmaceutical, biological, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries by designing and optimizing synthetic routes for research-grade molecules. The company’s dedication to quality and safety can be seen in its robust catalogue of API & Intermediates, each produced to the highest standards to support drug discovery and development pipelines globally. With a focus on efficiency, scalability, and regulatory alignment, Aquigen ensures its offerings remain reliable across every stage of R&D. Backed by a team of experienced chemists and modern infrastructure, the company continues to push the boundaries of innovation in complex synthesis.

Comprehensive Impurity Standards Portfolio

Recognizing the growing need for precise and traceable impurity profiling, Aquigen Bio Sciences offers a world-class suite of impurity standards, from degradation and process impurities to medicinal chemistry molecules and building blocks. The company’s impurity standards are essential for accurate method development and regulatory compliance.

Specialty Product Focus:

  • Includes nitrosamines such as NDMA, NDEA, NMBA, which are strictly controlled, precisely characterized and designed to support analytical excellence.

Trusted Supplier of Nicotine Impurity Standards:

Quality & Characterization:

  • All reference materials are developed under rigorous quality systems
  • Supplied with comprehensive characterization data to ensure consistency and reliability

Leadership in Custom Synthesis and Deuterated Labelled Compounds

Aquigen Bio Sciences is not only a supplier of off-the-shelf standards but also an industry leader in custom synthesis. With a team of highly experienced synthetic chemists, the company can design and develop bespoke molecules and intermediates tailored to client specifications. This ability enables the rapid acceleration of clients’ research programs.

In addition, Aquigen Bio Sciences has expanded its capabilities in deuterated labelled compounds, which are critical for advanced pharmacokinetic studies and other applications demanding isotopically labeled materials.

Addressing Global Challenges and Ensuring Sourcing Reliability

Supply Chain Resilience: The pandemic revealed critical vulnerabilities in global pharmaceutical supply chains. Aquigen Bio Sciences is addressing these by improving transparency, sustainability, and responsiveness. This ensures clients receive dependable access to hard-to-find reference standards and novel impurity classes.

Support for Complex Molecules: Aquigen offers high-purity reference standards for complex molecules like Lenacapavir and its impurities, aiding development of advanced antiviral agents through robust analytical tools.

Agile Innovation Pipeline: The company’s flexible development capabilities allow for rapid response to new regulatory requirements and emerging therapeutic trends

Technical Capabilities & Infrastructure

  • A 17,000 ft. advanced manufacturing facility in Pune, equipped to handle production at scales ranging from milligrams to kilograms.
  • A dedicated R&D center featuring high-tech laboratories and a team of 50+ scientists, backed by robust QC teams and cutting-edge analytical tools including HPLC, NMR, and
  • Expertise in synthesizing impurities, genotoxic nitrosamines, degradation products, deuterated isotopes, peptides, and intermediates.

Why Aquigen Bio Sciences Matters?

  • Regulatory-ready: Compliant with compendial and ICH Q3A/B standards, with CoA (HPLC, NMR, MS) included.
  • Fast & flexible: Custom synthesis for rare impurities with quick
  • Global reach: Serving 25 + countries across pharma, biotech, labs, and

The Way Forward:

Aquigen Bio Sciences is poised to lead the next chapter in impurity standards and sustainable biotechnology, and is trusted across India and beyond for its expertise. The company continues to drive innovation through custom solutions and research-centric development. As global demand for responsible, high-quality biotech solutions accelerates, Aquigen Bio Sciences remains committed to empowering pharmaceutical and industrial progress, paving the way for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future.

Explore Aquigen Bio Sciences’ comprehensive range of products, including nitrosamine impurity, Nicotine impurity, and Lenacapavir impurity standards

Contact:
Aquigen Bio Sciences Pvt Ltd
Pune, Maharashtra 412108
Phone: +91 7030123794
Email: bd@aquigenbio.com
Visit: www.aquigenbio.com

Civic Eye: The AI Revolution Our Chaotic Cities Desperately Needed

Civic Eye: The AI Revolution Our Chaotic Cities Desperately Needed

New Delhi [India], August 20: No one noticed the man lying on the pavement. Not the cars that zipped past him. Not the shopkeepers nearby. Not even the city’s surveillance cameras– until it was too late.

For millions living in India’s bustling cities, this is a recurring tragedy. Road accidents go undetected. Crimes happen in plain sight with no response. Potholes multiply. Fires spread. All while CCTV cameras dutifully record footage that no one has time–or eyes–to monitor.

Valiance Solutions, a deep tech company born out of India’s innovation heartland, is changing this reality. Their latest AI-powered platform, Civic Eye, is turning dumb cameras into city-wide sentinels–capable of detecting, alerting, and even predicting incidents in real-time.

From Surveillance to Smart Action

The problem isn’t that cities lack cameras. India has thousands. The issue is intelligence. Traditional surveillance systems merely observe. Civic Eye acts. Built on cutting-edge AI, computer vision, and real-time data analytics, Civic Eye analyzes live video feeds from existing CCTV networks to detect traffic violations, criminal activities, civic violations, and public safety risks–all without any additional hardware.

Whether it’s a chain-snatching suspect fleeing across streets, a manhole left uncovered, or a vehicle speeding through a red light–Civic Eye spots it, flags it, and notifies the control room and field staff in seconds.

“We’re not adding more screens. We’re making every existing feed smarter,” said the Valiance team behind the platform. “This is the difference between watching and truly seeing what’s happening in our cities.”

A Day in the Life of an Officer

Imagine a civic officer on duty. Tasked with managing traffic, responding to emergencies, and ensuring public order, he starts his day with outdated systems, multiple screens, delayed alerts, and no unified visibility. By the time information reaches him, it’s often too late. He’s left firefighting chaos, not preventing it.

Civic Eye changes that.

Now, this officer receives real-time alerts directly on his dashboard and mobile phone. Incidents like illegal hawking, pothole detection, overcrowding, road accidents, or criminal activities are flagged as they happen. He can query videos by description or license plate, track suspects across multiple zones, and dispatch field teams immediately and even identify crime hotspots over time–all from a single platform. With Civic Eye, the officer is no longer reactive. He’s empowered, equipped, and in control.

Game-Changing Intelligence in Action

Civic Eye is more than a monitoring tool–it’s a command center of intelligence. During monsoon, for instance, cities struggle with flooding, building collapses, tree falls, and sudden crowd gatherings. Currently, most municipal control rooms still rely heavily on distress calls, ward office reports, or eyewitness tip-offs.

Civic Eye eliminates this dependence.

It can automatically flag waterlogging, landslides, traffic congestion, or even potential protests using real-time visual AI. This proactive detection enables timely response, reduces risk, and saves lives.

What makes the system truly revolutionary is its AI-powered query search–a feature that allows law enforcement to find exactly what they’re looking for in minutes. Want to spot all vehicles that jumped a red light between 2-4 PM? Or trace a suspect across cameras using just a partial license plate or clothing pattern? Civic Eye delivers with precision, saving hours of manual footage review.

This intelligent video query tool is a breakthrough for overloaded departments–turning days of investigation into moments of insight.

Real Impact. Real Cities.

Civic Eye has already been deployed in pilot zones across Indian cities, with remarkable results. Perhaps its biggest advantage is adaptability. Civic Eye integrates seamlessly with a city’s existing infrastructure–no need to replace cameras or invest in new systems. It transforms what’s already there into a powerful, intelligent surveillance network.

The Deep Tech Vision

Valiance, the company behind Civic Eye, has earned recognition globally for putting AI to work for social good such as mitigating human animal conflicts through Wildlife Eye. Civic Eye marks a bold step forward–using the same cutting-edge AI to reimagine city governance and public service delivery.

Shailendra Singh Kathait, Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist of Valiance Solutions, emphasized the platform’s mission:

“Civic Eye reflects our commitment to building cutting-edge deep tech solutions from India for the world. It’s more than just a product–it’s a powerful AI-driven platform that brings real- time visibility, accountability, and safety to our cities. Built on Valiance’s dual-use multimodal AI platform, Civic Eye transforms existing surveillance infrastructure–enabling officials to detect incidents faster, respond efficiently, and enhance citizen safety. This is how we see technology contributing meaningfully to nation-building and setting a global benchmark for AI for good.”

As cities continue to expand, the challenges will only intensify. But Civic Eye offers a blueprint for turning reactive governance into intelligent prevention. Because real safety isn’t about watching everything–it’s about knowing what to see and when to act.

For demo requests, please contact:

marketing@valiancesolutions.com

www.valiancesolutions.com

LinkedIn

Valiance Solutions

India gets new cage-free poultry training hub as PFA-PPF, GFP, Happy Hens & Timbaktu unite with support from Compass Group Foundation

India gets new cage-free poultry training hub as PFA-PPF, GFP, Happy Hens & Timbaktu unite with support from Compass Group Foundation

New Delhi [India], August 20: In a landmark initiative aimed at transforming poultry farming in India, People for Animals Public Policy Foundation (PFA-PPF) is proud to announce its partnership with Global Food Partners (GFP), Happy Hens, and Timbaktu Kutumbam Foundation to establish a model cage-free poultry housing and training facility in India.

The facility is designed to train farmers in best practice, cage-free egg production methods that significantly enhance the welfare of egg-laying hens. It will serve as a demonstration site and training hub, equipping farmers with hands-on experience, technical know-how, and market access to cater to the growing demand for ethically produced eggs. This collaborative effort, supported by Compass Group India, is funded by the Compass Group Foundation.

With over 2,600 global companies committing to sourcing cage-free eggs, the timing of this initiative is critical. PFA-PPF’s grassroots network will play a key role in mobilizing and supporting farmers, helping them adopt welfare-compliant systems that open doors to premium markets and improved livelihoods.

“Our goal is to build a supportive ecosystem that empowers farmers with knowledge and access to better markets while ensuring that animal welfare remains central to food production,” said Priyanka Bangari, Trustee People for Animals-Public Policy Foundation.

“We’re proud to be part of this important initiative, contributing our technical expertise to support the successful implementation of best practices in animal welfare and cage-free farm management. Through hands-on guidance and tailored solutions, we’re helping ensure that this model farm not only meets high welfare standards, but also serves as a practical example for other producers in the region making the transition to cage-free systems,” stated Jayasimha Nuggehalli, Chief Program Officer at Global Food Partners.

“At Happy Hens Farms , we believe ethical farming is good for both people and animals. This training facility will help us empower small-holding farmers with sustainable livelihoods while ensuring hens live healthy, natural lives to produce eggs just the way nature intended.” Manjunath Marappan, Founder, Happy Hens

The project combines the global expertise of GFP in farmer training, the grassroots network of PFA-PPF and Kutumbakam, and the hands-on experience of India’s pioneer cage-free producer, Happy Hens. Together, they aim to build capacity for sustainable and scalable cage-free egg production across India.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Priyanka Bangari, People for Animals Public Policy Foundation

Email – priyanka.bangari@pfappf.com

Uzbekistan MBBS Admissions 2025 – Government Medical Universities Face Seat Crisis, Delays in Tashkent Raise Concerns

Uzbekistan MBBS Admissions 2025 – Government Medical Universities Face Seat Crisis, Delays in Tashkent Raise Concerns

New Delhi [India], August 19: Uzbekistan remains a leading choice for Indian students pursuing MBBS abroad. Affordable tuition, quality teaching, and clinical exposure have drawn many to government medical institutions, including:

– Tashkent Medical Academy (Main Campus)

– Tashkent Medical Academy – Urgench Branch

– Tashkent Pediatric Medical Institute

– Tashkent State Dental Institute

– Samarkand State Medical University

– Bukhara State Medical Institute

– Andijan State Medical Institute

– Fergana State Medical Institute (Fergana Medical Institute of Public Health)

– Namangan State Medical Institute

– Karakalpak State Medical Institute

– Urgench State Medical Institute

The Current Crisis

In recent years, student intake in government medical universities has far exceeded the official seat allocation by the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Uzbekistan. To fix this, the MOH is merging multiple institutions into Tashkent State Medical University, including the Tashkent Pediatric and Dental Institutes.

This restructuring caused delays in the September 2025 intake due to:

– Record consolidation and student transfers.

– Fee settlements between institutions.

– Aligning academic calendars and hospital affiliations.

New Update – Admissions Begin August 25th

After months of uncertainty, Tashkent State Medical University has announced that admissions will start from August 25, 2025.

– Selection will be based on interviews conducted by the university.

– Students who do not qualify in the interview process will need to explore other options quickly to avoid losing the academic year.

Students have very Limited Options except TSMU in the capital city (Tashkent), Uzbekistan. The centralized distribution of government universities in Uzbekistan necessitates that many students travel extensive distances–often spanning thousands of kilometres–to pursue MBBS, highlighting a significant disparity in regional educational infrastructure.”

Private Universities – An Immediate Alternative

For those who are not selected, top private medical universities in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, remain a strong choice. These offer:

– Lower tuition fees compared to many countries.

– High academic standards with modern infrastructure.

– The ability to start classes without delay.

If You Doubt Private Universities Are Safe

Government universities are not without risk. Recently, due to lack of infrastructure, the Tashkent Medical Academy – Chirchiq Branch was detained (closed), and the Indian Embassy issued a warning on July 22, 2025 advising Indian students not to take admission there.

This shows that a well-recognised private university with its own teaching hospital, world-class infrastructure, Hostel with Modern Facilities, and following all the guidelines approved by the National Medical Commission (NMC) & WHO, can be a smart and safe choice–especially when time is critical.

Key Advice for Students & Parents

1. If aiming for Tashkent Medical University, prepare for the August 25th interview and have a backup plan in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

2. If not selected, immediately choose an NMC/WHO-approved private university with its own hospital on the university campus.

3. Apply only through authorised agencies and verify their credentials on the university’s website before payment.

4. Do not wait too long–delays can cost an entire academic year.

Your decision today will determine your medical career tomorrow.

La Trobe University and IFFM honour India’s Independence Day with Aamir Khan, celebrating cultural and research partnerships

La Trobe University and IFFM honour India’s Independence Day with Aamir Khan, celebrating cultural and research partnerships

Melbourne [Australia], August 19: As part of the longstanding partnership between La Trobe University and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), Indian cinema legend and humanitarian Aamir Khan has joined La Trobe’s Chancellor, the Hon John Brumby AO, and the IFFM to celebrate India’s 79th Independence Day.

La Trobe’s partnership with IFFM spans more than 16 years. Partnerships and Innovation: A Celebration of India’s Independence with Aamir Khan, brought together industry leaders, researchers and cultural icons in Melbourne, Australia, on Friday, 15 August, to explore how collaborations drive sustainable development.

The event highlighted the shared goals of La Trobe University and Khan’s Paani Foundation to empower communities through sustainable agriculture, water conservation and food security.

Joining the Chancellor at the prestigious event was Victorian Minister for Veterans, Minister for Small Business and Employment, and Minister for Youth, the Hon Natalie Suleyman MP, Commonwealth Assistant Minister for Citizenship and International Education, the Hon Julian Hill MP and Federal MP Tim Watts.

The event showcased La Trobe University’s collaborative research into food security and sustainability, including ag-tech solutions to improve milk quality, advanced sensor and robotics technologies for water quality monitoring and community-led action plans, such as the Clean River Ganga initiative, alongside efforts to strengthen agribusiness supply chains between India and Australia.

These initiatives closely mirror the Paani Foundation’s work in drought-prone regions of India, supporting farmers in watershed management and sustainable agriculture practices.

“La Trobe University is proud of its long-standing and diverse collaborations with India,” the Hon John Brumby AO, Chancellor of La Trobe University, said.

“Our 16-year partnership with the Indian Film Festival and our growing research ties across the subcontinent reflect our commitment to global engagement, cultural exchange and social impact. This event was a powerful celebration of those values.”

IFFM Director Mitu Bhowmick also reflected on the significance of the occasion.

“India’s Independence Day is a moment of pride and unity, and we were thrilled to celebrate it with our partner La Trobe University, which has supported the festival since its inception. This event beautifully captured the spirit of collaboration between cinema, education and community development.”

La Trobe University’s longstanding partnership with IFFM includes student placements, cultural programming and academic collaborations.

The University has also established the Asian Smart Cities Research Innovation Network (ASCRIN), which supports sustainable development and innovation across India and the broader region.

La Trobe University and India

  • La Trobe has been a proud partner of the Indian Film Festival in Melbourne since it began in 2010.
  • La Trobe is in the top 1 per cent of universities worldwide. *QS Top Universities, 2025, QS World University Rankings 2026: Top global universities; Webometrics, 2025, Webometrics Ranking July 2025.
  • The University has a proud record of educating students from India, with around 11,000 people born in India among its alumni.
  • La Trobe University is one of the founding members of the Australia India Institute.
  • The IIT Kanpur – La Trobe Research Academy was established in 2020.
  • Asian Smart Cities Research Innovation Network (ASCRIN), was founded by La Trobe in 2019 and is now its single largest research internationalisation initiative, with joint investment of more than AUD $43 million (Rs 235 crores). It is a partnership designed to improve sustainability, liveability and efficiency of Asian cities. Partners in the network include Tata Institute of Social Science, the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) and Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS-Pilani) which includes more than 250 researchers and over 70 joint-PhD projects.
  • In 2024, the University announced that it would be establishing a Bio Innovation Corridor with India’s Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council and the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre, to support the development of research and innovation.
  • In 2025, BBC and La Trobe University jointly organised a 12-week IND-AUS LaunchPad Pre-Accelerator program, bringing together 11 high-potential Indian startups for intensive mentoring, market readiness training and cross-border networking to fast-track their global expansion.
  • Also in 2025, La Trobe University will launch the IGNITE LAB, a joint initiative with the BBC to support Indian startups expanding globally. The BBC-La Trobe Continuation Program (Bangalore) will offer a pathway for Australian startups engaging with India via BBC as part of the IND-AUS LaunchPad framework.
  • Dignitaries La Trobe University has hosted from the Indian subcontinent include Prime Minister Mrs Indira Gandhi, Kapil Dev, Malaika Arora Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajkumar Hirani, Abhijat Joshi and, most recently, actor, producer and women’s equality advocate, Shah Rukh Khan.
  • La Trobe has awarded two Shah Rukh Khan La Trobe University PhD Scholarships, providing a life-changing opportunity for an aspiring female researcher from India to make a meaningful impact in the world.
  • La Trobe University is one of only two universities in Australia teaching Hindi and the only Australian University to teach a subject on the history, music and storytelling of popular Hindi cinema.
  • The La Trobe Library collection houses more than 38,000 volumes of monographs, journals, magazines and government publications from India, one of the largest collections in Australia.

Media enquiries

Australia: Robyn Grace – r.grace@latrobe.edu.au, 0420 826 595

India: Achal K Paul – achal@buzzcomm.in, +91 98101 62377

Nxcar’s New Playbook: How Arming Dealers Could Topple India’s Used Car Duopoly

Nxcar’s New Playbook: How Arming Dealers Could Topple India’s Used Car Duopoly

Gurugram (Haryana) [India], August 18: In a direct challenge to the duopoly of Spinny and Cars24 dominating India’s used car market, Nxcar has launched its dealer-centric Customer-to-Business (C2B) Auction Platform. The platform, now live in the Nxcar app, provides 15,000+ second hand car dealers in India with the access to verified inventory and financial tools. Key features include a 15-day free “buy now, pay later” embedded credit and extended 90-day inventory funding option, giving dealers unprecedented financial flexibility. This is coupled with a transparent auction process where every vehicle is backed by a comprehensive 250-point inspection report and verified documents. Nxcar is committing to radical transparency by operating on a fixed predefined margin and openly sharing the bids with the sellers and the buyers in real time.

For the last decade, India’s used car market has been defined by a well-funded duopoly and scattered independent dealers fending off the onslaught of technology and new capital. Cars24 pioneered a high-speed aggregation model to provide convenience to individual sellers and later started retailing used cars directly to customers, while Spinny championed a capital-intensive, full-stack retail model to build trust with end buyers. Despite their different strategies, both unicorns share a fundamental strategic intent: they are built on an adversarial premise that seeks to consolidate the market by displacing the existing ecosystem. Their models either compete directly with the dealers for car sellers and buyers or relegate them to a downstream channel for unwanted stock. In their quest to control the market, they have squeezed and antagonised the network of independent dealers who command over 70% of all transactions. This has created a strategic vacuum and a massive underserved market.

Nxcar’s strategy is a direct and sophisticated response to this situation. Nxcar is pursuing a scalable and capital-efficient playbook where it earns its margins from the additional value it delivers to the dealers. The embedded financing in the C2B Auction Platform addresses the challenge of working capital, unlocking a dealer’s ability to scale. The transparent, real-time auctions, backed by meticulous inspection data, de-risk procurement and dismantle the information asymmetry that erodes dealer margins. Underpinning this is a uniquely asset-light model; Nxcar only purchases a vehicle after a dealer’s bid is accepted by the seller, avoiding the inventory holding costs that weigh on the duopoly’s balance sheets. This approach shifts the focus from consolidation to collaboration and aligning Nxcar’s success directly with the profitability of its dealer partners.

This launch is not an overnight pivot but the culmination of a deliberate, two-year long build up. Nxcar has been providing inventory financing to dealers, arranging used car loans to their customers and digitising their inventory. Nxcar created online storefronts and digital catalogues on its listing platform and enabled dealers to offer insurance, extended warranty and RTO services as an aggregator. This groundwork and participation in over 10,000 car acquisition transactions has provided the company with access to dealers and a foundation of trust, positioning the auction platform as its most consequential move yet.

This strategic inversion makes a powerful case that the most sustainable path to winning India’s used car war is not to fight the industry’s fragmented constituents, but to arm them. It is quite probable that the future of this projected $100 billion market belongs not to the giants who seek to control it, but to someone who aligns with the neighbourhood dealer.

Running for Lives: Telangana 10K Run 2025, the Cause of Organ Donation

Running for Lives: Telangana 10K Run 2025, the Cause of Organ Donation

New Delhi [India], August 18: A morning of determination, solidarity, and purpose unfolded at Sanjeevaiah Park as over 2,000 spirited runners gathered for the Telangana 10K Run – 3rd Edition, dedicated to raising awareness about organ donation. Organized by MOHAN Foundation and Global Events & Entertainment, the event was a powerful reminder of how a single act–the decision to donate–can save multiple lives.

Coinciding with World Organ Donation Day, the run highlighted the importance of pledging organs and carrying forward the legacy of life. With the unwavering support of the Bank of India (Title Sponsor) and Nippon Express (Co-sponsor), the event brought together people of all ages under one noble cause: to promote the gift of life.

A Dignified Beginning

The run was flagged off by Shri Etala Rajender Garu, Member of Parliament and former Health Minister of Telangana, who addressed the crowd with encouraging words on the impact of organ donation in saving lives. He was joined by key dignitaries, including Shri Manoj Kumar Srivastava (GM South, Bank of India) and Shri Sudheer Nair (Branch Head, Hyderabad), who lent their support to this meaningful initiative.

Shri Raghuram, CEO of MOHAN Foundation, touched hearts as he shared inspiring stories of lives transformed through organ donation–emphasizing that even in loss, one can give life.

Celebrating Runners Who Inspired

In the 5K men’s category, Rahul Phartyal clinched the top position with an impressive finish time of 16 minutes, followed by Tiklu Naik at 0:17:52 and Vangala Dhanush at 0:18:17. Among the women, Anne Loukya emerged victorious, clocking 0:25:55, with Madhavi P at 0:29:22 and Chandrakala B following closely at 0:29:24, respectively.

The 10K run saw some remarkable performances across age categories. In the under-25 male group, Sahil Sagar led the race with a time of 0:34:26, followed by Gagan Kumar at 0:38:10 and Gopal at 0:38:36. The 25 to 40 male category was topped by Ramesh Chandra with a strong finish of 0:34:49, trailed by Seva Ram at 0:38:44 and Tumram Ramesh Kumar at 0: 39:07. Among males aged 40 to 55, Chinnaramaiah Mondru took the lead at 0:40:21, while Pardeep Thakur (0:43:38) and Sathish Bobba (0:44:39) rounded out the top three. In the above 55 male group, Nanda Kishore Narappa Reddy stood first with a time of 0:45:06, with Babu G (0:49:19) and Ranga Davala (0:54:05) securing the next spots.

For the women’s 10K, in the under-25 category, Samreen Shaik claimed the top spot at 0:51:12, followed by Ekaterina Zubareva at 1:19:44 and Sadhvika Kadari at 1:29:53. The 25 to 40 category witnessed a close finish, with Madduri Kavya clocking in at 0:47:22, just ahead of Richa Rai (0:47:42) and Tanvir (1:00:02). In the 40 to 55 age group, Suparna Das led with 0:55:05, while

Radha Puri Goswami (1:00:56) and Preeti Semwal Bembi (1:14:20) followed. Among the female participants above 55, Madhavi Sharma took first place with 1:26:07, and was joined on the podium by Rajani P at 1:45:11.

Powered by Purpose and Partnerships

The event was supported by a host of brands and wellness partners who believe in fitness for a cause. Max Protein, Dr. Reddy’s, Meghavi Wellness Spa, Body Armorlyte, Cornitos, Akshaya Kalpa, Germeteen Hospitals, Decathlon Secunderabad, and Taj Hotels, among others, lent their support to this meaningful movement.

At the heart of the event’s operational excellence was Timing Technologies, the official timing partner. Renowned for delivering accurate and real-time race results across some of India’s largest endurance events. Complementing this effort was iFinish, the official registration partner, which provided a smooth and efficient digital registration experience. iFinish handled thousands of registrations seamlessly–ensuring participants had a hassle-free start to their race journey.

More Than a Run–A Movement

The Telangana 10K Run 2025 was more than a race–it was a symbol of humanity, health, and hope. With every step taken, runners echoed the message that life can continue even after death–through the generous act of organ donation. The event once again proved that the spirit of running, when fused with a purpose, has the power to create lasting change.

Goodera hosts Karma Summit Asia 2025, Asia’s Largest Corporate Volunteering Summit

Goodera hosts Karma Summit Asia 2025, Asia’s Largest Corporate Volunteering Summit

Attended by 150+ Companies and 300+ CSR Leaders from across the world

Bangalore, 14th August 2025: Goodera, the global leader in employee volunteering, successfully hosted Karma Summit Asia 2025 on August 6-7, 2025 at Clarks Exotica, Bengaluru. The event brought together 150+ companies, 300+ CSR leaders, and some of the most impactful changemakers and non-profit voices in the region to shape the future of employee volunteering. As Asia’s largest corporate volunteering summit, Karma Summit served as a catalyst for bold ideas, impactful conversations, and meaningful action in the purpose-led business ecosystem.

Speaking on the occasion, Abhishek Humbad, Founder & CEO of Goodera, said, “The Karma Summit is not just a platform, it’s a global call to action for purpose-driven collaboration. This year’s edition brought together leaders from across industries who are reimagining the future  of volunteering in shaping a more compassionate, connected world. The insights, partnerships and commitments forged at the summit reflect a powerful shift towards scalable, sustained impact. We are proud to catalyze this movement and excited to see how it transforms the future of employee engagement and social responsibility.”

The event marked the launch of the VQ India 2025 Report, Goodera’s annual benchmarking study analyzing ESG disclosures from over 70+ leading Indian companies. The report offers data-driven insights into the evolving role of volunteering within corporate ESG strategies. Key findings highlight a 40% higher workforce participation in Indian companies vis-a-vis the global benchmark for corporate volunteering. India’s median workforce volunteering rate reached 31%, reflecting a deepening sense of purpose among employees. Technology companies led the way with 35% participation and a strong engagement depth of 4.7 hours per volunteer.

Goodera also announced Community Missions, a bold new initiative shaped by insights from an in-depth Community Pulse Study conducted by the team. The five missions, Light-A-Life, AI for All, Leap India, Green India, and Educate India, aim to light up 10 million lives, build global AI literacy, upskill 1 million youth and women, plant 1 million trees across Indian cities, and transform education for 1 million government school children.

The 2-day summit included insightful sessions and unfiltered conversations with topics ranging from running volunteering programs across geographies to making space for employees to show up despite packed calendars, building champion networks, and embedding purpose into everyday work. From expert panels and keynote talks to immersive community circles, the summit featured thought leaders discussing AI in volunteering, disaster preparedness, volunteer champion networks, and Gen-Z  engagement.

In addition to strategy sessions and curated conversations, attendees experienced Goodera’s signature Volunteering Safari and Experience Zone, a set of immersive, hands-on service activities and long-term missions, co-created with local nonprofits. The delegates also participated in hands-on volunteering experiences powered by Goodera’s proprietary technology and logistics infrastructure that enables it to do events in 1000+ cities around the world.

As companies across Asia rethink employee engagement, community responsibility, and the future of work, Karma Summit Asia 2025 underscored the power of volunteering to bring meaning back to the workplace. With momentum from Bengaluru, Goodera now looks ahead to taking its mission of building a more empathetic workforce on a global stage.

About Goodera

Goodera is the world’s leading platform for corporate volunteering, on a mission to make volunteering accessible to every employee in the world. Headquartered in Bengaluru with teams across the U.S., India, and Europe, Goodera enables enterprises to design, manage, and scale impactful volunteering experiences across in-person, virtual, and skill-based formats.

Founded in 2014, Goodera serves over 500+ global enterprises, including 65+ Fortune 500 companies such as Amazon, IBM, ServiceNow, EY, and Paypal. Its curated network of 50,000+ nonprofits across 1000+ cities and 100+ countries allows companies to connect their employees with causes that matter—from climate action and disaster response to education, gender equity, mental health, and more. To date, Goodera has enabled over 2 million employee volunteers to contribute millions of hours to community service, supporting NPOs and grassroots organizations in both urgent relief and long-term development initiatives.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Divya Narayan
+91 99725 22047 | divya.narayan@goodera.com