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  • A Kentucky Legacy Arrives in Mumbai as Buffalo Trace Launches Its India Journey with a Multi-Sensory Pop-Up

    The American family-owned distillery, home to Pappy Van Winkle and Eagle Rare, debuted its India experience with curated tastings, interactive whiskey zones and sessions that celebrated more than 200 years of legacy.

    Buffalo Trace Distillery, one of the most awarded bourbon makers in the world, has officially marked its arrival in India with a three-day immersive pop-up event in Mumbai. The event, held at Palladium Mumbai’s Courtyard from November 17th to 19th, brought the craftsmanship and storytelling of Kentucky’s bourbon heritage to Indian audiences. Guests included whiskey connoisseurs, hospitality leaders, fashion insiders and business executives, all of whom participated in a curated exploration of Buffalo Trace’s acclaimed bourbon expressions.
    As the oldest continuously operating distillery in the United States, Buffalo Trace has built its legacy since 1775, surviving prohibition, wars and cultural shifts. The Mumbai event was designed to highlight this rich heritage through sensory stations and guided tastings. Visitors sampled celebrated labels such as Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Weller Wheated Bourbon and Benchmark Bourbon, all of which are now officially available in India.

    The pop-up drew participation from high-profile attendees including Lara Balsara Vajifdar, Executive Director at Madison World; Tanuj Garg, film producer; Jayesh Yagnik, CEO of MOMS Outdoor; Pradeep Diwedi, Group CEO of Eros International; celebrity stylist Esha Amin; Mini Sood Banerjee, Director of Marketing at Amorepacific; and A.D. Singh, Founder and Managing Director of the Olive Group of Restaurants. Their presence reflected the cross-industry interest in whiskey culture as Buffalo Trace made its debut in the country.
    Diego Bianchi, Vice President of Global Hubs at Sazerac, the parent company of Buffalo Trace, noted the enthusiasm among Indian audiences. “Buffalo Trace Distillery’s unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, aging and quality distilling has earned it fans across the globe, and we’re thrilled to finally share that experience with consumers in India,” he said. He added that the reception in Mumbai exceeded expectations and confirmed the brand’s intent to expand to more cities across India in the months ahead.

    More than a product showcase, the event was designed as an interactive narrative. The scent bar allowed visitors to discover the complex aromas of bourbon aging, while a leather crafting station and a chocolate tasting experience highlighted how traditional Kentucky craftsmanship intersects with luxury and lifestyle. Each station was intended to decode the sensory signatures of Buffalo Trace’s process from corn mash and charred oak barrels to aged notes of caramel, vanilla and toasted spice.
    Guests also took home personalised keepsakes, extending the experience beyond the venue. The event space itself was crafted to reflect the distillery’s aesthetic rustic textures, wood and brass accents, and storytelling visuals that echoed the history of Buffalo Trace. For first-time Indian audiences, this provided an immersive entry into a bourbon tradition that has won more than 1,000 international awards.

    Buffalo Trace’s core range available in India includes Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Weller Wheated Bourbon and Benchmark. These are among the most collected and appreciated bourbons globally, particularly Pappy Van Winkle, which has become a name synonymous with ultra-rare American whiskey. With this launch, Buffalo Trace joins a growing market of premium spirits in India, where urban consumers are actively exploring craft liquors and heritage-led brands.
    Founded in Frankfort, Kentucky, the Buffalo Trace Distillery is a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its roster includes legends like E. H. Taylor Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton and Elmer T. Lee names that helped shape the evolution of American whiskey. The distillery produces a wide range of bourbons, rye and vodkas, blending traditional methods with modern innovations. Its parent company, Sazerac, is headquartered in New Orleans and owns several global beverage brands.

    India’s spirits market, which has traditionally been dominated by Scotch whisky, is showing a significant shift towards American bourbons and small-batch releases. Buffalo Trace’s arrival adds to this transformation. By placing experience at the heart of its launch strategy, the brand is not just selling bourbon but inviting Indian consumers into a wider cultural story.
    The event’s success also signals a shift in how global spirits brands are approaching the Indian market less about volume and more about education, interaction and long-term community-building. As Buffalo Trace gears up to enter more Indian cities, it plans to offer similar curated experiences that blend history, taste and storytelling.
    For those unable to attend the Mumbai event, the distillery’s official India handle BuffaloTraceDistillery India on Instagram offers updates on future cities, product information and behind-the-scenes insights into the brand’s global expansion.
    Buffalo Trace’s story is not only about rare bourbon but about the endurance of craft, family ownership and time-honoured distilling. Its India launch is the beginning of a new chapter, one that connects centuries of Kentucky heritage with a new generation of Indian whiskey enthusiasts.
    At Prittle Prattle News, we honor your dedication and inventiveness led by showcasing you in a positive light. Under the direction of Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is committed to disseminating powerful narratives that raise awareness and motivate change. For more important stories, follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTub
  • Unstoppable at Tokyo Deaflympics 2025, Dhanush Srikanth Secures Twin Golds for KLH Global Business School

    Shooting a world record 252.2 in the finals and 630.6 in qualifications, Dhanush Srikanth adds two more Deaflympics golds to his name, taking his total to four while studying at KLH Global Business School. Despite hearing loss, he continues to redefine excellence in Indian shooting.

    India’s presence at the Tokyo Deaflympics 2025 was defined not just by medals but by the force of resilience, skill and consistency embodied by Dhanush Srikanth. Representing KLH Global Business School in Hyderabad, Dhanush won two gold medals in the Men’s 10m Air Rifle and Mixed Team 10m Air Rifle events, delivering a world record performance in the final round. His score of 252.2 set a new global benchmark, while his qualification score of 630.6 also entered the Deaflympics record books.
    This achievement brings Dhanush’s Deaflympics medal tally to four, having won two golds earlier at the 2022 Brazil edition. At just 23 years of age, he now stands as one of India’s most decorated deaf athletes on the international circuit.

    Born and raised in Hyderabad, Dhanush Srikanth has consistently defied limitations placed on athletes with disabilities. Despite hearing loss and the inability to speak, he has demonstrated unwavering focus and precision across major competitions. His performance at Tokyo is not only a continuation of past success but a significant leap forward in India’s global shooting footprint.
    Dhanush is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Business Administration at KLH Global Business School, a constituent of KL Deemed to be University. His academic and sporting pursuits have run parallel with remarkable synergy, making him a role model for student-athletes nationwide. KLH GBS, known for its focus on innovation and global leadership, proudly recognises his accomplishments as a reflection of the institution’s vision.

    Er. Koneru Lakshman Havish, Vice President of KL Deemed to be University, praised Dhanush’s achievement, calling it “a moment of immense pride not only for the institution but for the entire nation.” He stated that Dhanush represents resilience, discipline and ambition. “We are committed to nurturing talent that inspires through action, and Dhanush has done exactly that.”
    The Men’s 10m Air Rifle final saw Dhanush dominate from the start. With a calm and calculated approach, he maintained lead position throughout, concluding with a final score of 252.2. His precision was mirrored in the Mixed Team 10m Air Rifle event, where India secured another gold, adding to the country’s total medal count and reaffirming its status in global shooting sports.

    This world record performance speaks volumes about Dhanush’s mental stamina and technical excellence. Shooting is a discipline that demands emotional regulation and absolute concentration skills that Dhanush has honed to a remarkable degree. His achievements contribute significantly to India’s growing legacy in Olympic and Paralympic-aligned competitions.
    While his medals speak for themselves, Dhanush’s story is just as much about breaking barriers. His rise in sport redefines what is possible for athletes with disabilities. It challenges conventional narratives about capability and opens up new conversations about inclusion in competitive sport.

    KLH Global Business School has extended full academic and moral support to Dhanush during his preparation and participation. The institution believes that academic frameworks should enable, not restrict, high-performance athletes. Dhanush’s success reflects this educational philosophy one that encourages discipline and excellence without compromising individuality.
    The Tokyo Deaflympics 2025 featured athletes from more than 70 countries, making Dhanush’s double gold win even more significant in a field of world-class competitors. The International Committee of Sports for the Deaf continues to recognise such events as key platforms for global integration and athletic equity. Dhanush’s name now joins a prestigious list of Indian shooters who have set global records, continuing a proud tradition that includes legends from Olympic history.

    This moment of victory also resonates deeply with Hyderabad’s growing sporting ecosystem. Dhanush’s consistent performance brings attention to the infrastructure, coaching and psychological support that is gradually evolving across Telangana. His success will undoubtedly inspire a generation of athletes who seek both excellence and meaning in their pursuits.
    For KLH Global Business School, this is more than a medal count. It is a reaffirmation of their commitment to shaping future leaders who are fearless in ambition and inclusive in action. The school continues to champion education that balances global thinking with human values.
    As India celebrates this historic win, Dhanush Srikanth’s story remains a quiet but powerful reminder that greatness is often built in silence. His ability to overcome physical challenges and rise to the highest level of competition makes him not just a champion in sport, but a figure of national inspiration.
    At Prittle Prattle News, we honor your dedication and inventiveness led by showcasing you in a positive light. Under the direction of Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is committed to disseminating powerful narratives that raise awareness and motivate change. For more important stories, follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTub
  • Beyond the Pill: How a Pharmacologist Turned Author Confronts the Limits of Medicine

    Author Devanssh Mehta’s latest work peels back the layers of identity, dependency and memory through the character of Ariv, offering readers an honest exploration of trauma, introspection and the limits of pharmaceutical science.

    In the long journey from scientific rigor to emotional clarity, Beyond the Pill emerges as a turning point in the career of Devanssh Mehta. Known for his extensive academic contributions in pharmacology and biomedical sciences, Mehta has written over a hundred books across disciplines. Yet, none have challenged his own identity the way this one has. Beyond the Pill is not just a book. It is a confrontation with the inner fractures, buried memories and unanswered questions that often remain untouched by medicine.
    At its core, Beyond the Pill is an inquiry into the human mind. It begins with a question that underpins Mehta’s transition from academic writing to introspective literature: what remains of the self when science stops working? Through the fictional character of Ariv, the book explores psychological struggle without clinical distance. Ariv’s emotional volatility, his blurred sense of reality and his craving for coherence are not stylised for dramatic effect. They are drawn from the lived observations of the author, as a son, a caregiver, a researcher and a man who has walked the edges of emotional breakdown himself.

    Devanssh Mehta does not place science and suffering at odds. Instead, he recognises their boundaries. He knows what a pill can stabilise and what it cannot mend. He has seen pharmacology work, but he has also witnessed the deeper conflicts it cannot resolve. Beyond the Pill asks the reader to step into that space. It is a book about memory loss, dependency, suppressed identity and the silence that follows inner collapse.
    This shift in Mehta’s writing is deliberate. Having long been recognised for academic precision and scientific clarity, he lets go of that structure here. Beyond the Pill moves through emotion, recollection, instability and reassembly. It reflects the author’s own resistance to rigid formats as he begins to write from a space of emotional honesty rather than professional detachment. There are no chapters that flow with linear certainty. Instead, the progression bends with Ariv’s mind, at times fragmented, at times lucid, always human.

    The choice to explore these themes did not come without personal cost. Mehta’s life, shaped by discipline under the guidance of his father Late Colonel Vinoy Kumar Mehta and marked by the emotional weight of his mother’s cancer journey, informs the emotional weight of the novel. While Beyond the Pill is not autobiographical, it is deeply personal. The emotional tone of the book mirrors real moments of loss, caregiving and internal transformation.
    Each central theme in Beyond the Pill extends from Mehta’s own life experiences. The exploration of identity reveals how memory and self-image often disconnect. The portrayal of dependency questions not just chemical reliance but emotional escape. Mental health is shown not as a topic for awareness campaigns but as a lived battlefield. Healing in this book is not a soft recovery but a painful reconstruction. And above all, the story asks what it means to be a human being when scientific labels fall short.

    In India’s evolving literary space, Mehta is one of the few authors successfully bridging science and human emotion. He has consistently refused to use his pharmaceutical knowledge as a shield against vulnerability. Instead, he opens up that world to show where it intersects with real psychological struggle. For readers familiar with his academic work, Beyond the Pill offers something unfamiliar but essential, a view of the author without his professional armour.
    The early reactions to the book have confirmed its impact. Readers describe feeling understood, shaken, relieved and provoked. Many have written to say it gave them a way to process emotions they could not name. Some say it helped them face grief they had long hidden. Others say it captured the unease they live with every day. Beyond the Pill resonates because it does not seek to teach. It seeks to accompany.
    For Mehta, this book marks a division in his writing life. Everything he has written before led to it. Everything he writes after will carry its influence. Beyond the Pill is not an escape from science. It is a return to humanity. It is not about abandoning knowledge. It is about recognising its limits.
    As Devanssh Mehta continues to shape India’s cross-disciplinary literary voice, Beyond the Pill stands as one of his most revealing and grounded works. Published at a time when mental health, identity and healing are pressing global issues, the book invites readers to reflect on their own interior lives. It is not a prescription. It is a pause. A space for reckoning. A place to begin again.
    At Prittle Prattle News, we honor your dedication and inventiveness led by showcasing you in a positive light. Under the direction of Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is committed to disseminating powerful narratives that raise awareness and motivate change. For more important stories, follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTub
  • 500 Acres of Blue Innovation: Kings Infra and Andhra Pradesh Gov Team Up for India’s Smart Seafood Future

    ₹2,500 crore aquaculture tech park near Srikakulam to generate 11,500 jobs and boost seafood exports by ₹22,000 crore

    Kings Infra Ventures Ltd. has signed a landmark MoU with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to develop a ₹2,500 crore, 500-acre Integrated Aquaculture Technology Park near Srikakulam. Backed by direct government support and single-window clearance, the project is designed to position Andhra Pradesh as a global hub for sustainable, AI-driven seafood production.

    The park will feature indoor hatcheries, multi-species farming units, automated feeding systems, processing lines, and a dedicated marine bio-actives division. It will be digitally managed through BlueTechOS, Kings Infra’s proprietary AI platform offering real-time analytics and predictive farm management. Phase I operations will begin after land identification and approvals, led by the District Collector of Srikakulam.

    The project is expected to generate 1,500 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs while enabling ₹2,000 crore in direct seafood exports and ₹20,000 crore in indirect exports from the third year onwards. A key highlight is the Aquaculture Skill & Innovation Centre, which will train 5,000 professionals in modern aquaculture methods including IoT-enabled tanks and recirculatory systems.

    With an investment of ₹500 crore from Kings Infra and its partners in core infrastructure and ₹2,000 crore projected from ancillary industries and MSMEs, the park reflects a strong public-private model. The initiative is aligned with Andhra Pradesh’s Vision 2030 of “One Entrepreneur in Every Household” and the broader goal of unlocking India’s blue economy through sustainable growth.

    Kings Infra aims to culture species such as shrimp, seabass, grouper, tilapia, and mud crab, alongside a marine nutraceutical unit producing bioactives like astaxanthin and Omega-3 oils. The company is also exploring global partnerships with CMFRI, RGCA, FSI, and universities for R&D and capacity building.

    This will be India’s first fully AI-driven aquaculture park and is expected to create a replicable model for the country’s future seafood infrastructure.
    At Prittle Prattle News, we honor your dedication and inventiveness led by showcasing you in a positive light. Under the direction of Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is committed to disseminating powerful narratives that raise awareness and motivate change. For more important stories, follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTube.
  • Aditya Birla’s Ujaas and Evonik India join hands to deliver menstrual health sessions across Mumbai schools

    The initiative will engage over 1,000 students and 40 women from underserved communities, aiming to break taboos, promote hygiene, and drive inclusive awareness through structured MHM sessions

    Ujaas, a menstrual health initiative under the Aditya Birla Education Trust, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Evonik India to launch structured awareness programs across select schools in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. The sessions aim to promote menstrual health literacy and hygiene practices among more than 1,000 individuals, including 398 girls, 602 boys, and 40 women from underserved communities.
    The MoU was formally signed at VDS Public School, Turbhe, one of the participating institutions in the program. The event was attended by representatives from both organisations including Poonam Patkar, Head of Ujaas; Steffi Fernando, Senior Manager at Ujaas; Vinod Paremal, President and Managing Director, Evonik India Region; Vidya Gopinath, CSR Lead for Evonik India through the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce; and Prerna Sakpal, Senior Manager, Communications, Evonik India.

    Titled “Grow Beyond Yourself – MHM Awareness Sessions by Ujaas,” the initiative will be implemented across four schools: Gurukul English High School and Jeevanjyoti International School in Malad, Oxford English High School in Kurla, and VDS Public School in Navi Mumbai. The sessions will include specially curated content for adolescent girls, boys, and mothers, addressing the biological, social, and emotional aspects of menstruation.
    The sessions for girls will focus on understanding puberty, the menstrual cycle, period hygiene, sustainable product use, and safe disposal practices. Discussions will also equip them to identify abnormal symptoms and encourage cycle tracking for better health outcomes. For boys, the modules aim to create empathy and understanding, while encouraging supportive behaviour within families, classrooms, and communities. Mothers will be engaged through discussions on PCOD, menopause, and adolescent health.

    Insights from the Ujaas Impact Report 2024–2025 highlight the value of such programs. Among adolescent girls who previously attended Ujaas sessions, 98 percent demonstrated a clear understanding of menstruation, and 94 percent could correctly identify menstrual hygiene products. Boys recorded a 47 percent increase in understanding menstruation and 74 percent reported feeling comfortable discussing the topic with female relatives. Additionally, 95 percent of National Service Scheme students recognised menstruation as a natural process, and 86 percent of girls rejected common myths around menstrual blood. Among Anganwadi workers, 96 percent felt confident explaining menstruation, while 94 percent could identify warning signs requiring medical attention.

    Under this partnership, Ujaas will lead the delivery of the awareness sessions, while Evonik India will support the initiative through funding and logistical collaboration.
    “This partnership reflects the collective will to create safe and inclusive spaces for menstrual education,” said Poonam Patkar, Head of Ujaas. “At Ujaas, we believe menstrual health is not a women’s issue alone. It is a social issue that requires empathy, awareness, and engagement from all sections of society.”
    Vinod Paremal, President and Managing Director, Evonik India, added, “At Evonik, we believe that real progress begins with awareness and education. By supporting menstrual health literacy among young students, we aim to help create informed, confident, and compassionate individuals who can shape a more equitable and inclusive future.”

    Echoing this sentiment, Gabriele Rettig, Chief Executive Advisor – CSR, Evonik Asia Pacific, said, “Evonik’s CSR philosophy is centered on creating long-term community impact through education and empowerment. Our partnership with Ujaas reflects our belief that menstrual health awareness is a social imperative that drives inclusion, confidence, and equality.”
    Since its inception in 2021, Ujaas has conducted more than 17,000 awareness sessions and reached over six lakh individuals across India. The initiative has distributed over 50 lakh sanitary napkins, operated mobile awareness units such as the Menstrual Health Express, and launched women-led, cloth pad manufacturing units, including its flagship facility in Jalna. These efforts support the organisation’s mission to build menstrual health awareness, promote eco-friendly hygiene solutions, and foster grassroots economic empowerment.
    Ujaas is guided by the values of the Aditya Birla Education Trust, with a strong focus on breaking menstrual taboos, building informed communities, and driving inclusive change.
    At Prittle Prattle News, we honor your dedication and inventiveness led by showcasing you in a positive light. Under the direction of Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is committed to disseminating powerful narratives that raise awareness and motivate change. For more important stories, follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTub

  • Every Dream Deserves a Second Chance: Prodigy Finance Opens 2026 Loan Cycle for Students Affected by 2025 Disruptions

    With 40,000 students deferring admissions in 2025, the global lender launches early access to its no-collateral education loans covering tuition and living expenses across key study destinations

    After a challenging year marked by student visa delays, rising tuition fees, and global policy shifts, Prodigy Finance has opened early access to its 2026 loan program. The move offers a lifeline to thousands of students who were forced to defer their admissions in 2025 due to unpredictable conditions.
    Many students saw their plans paused midstream, as countries like Canada capped permits, Australian appeals faced backlogs, and U.S. visa timelines tightened. Universities in the U.S. and U.K. also raised fees significantly, with some adding up to £2,000 for popular courses. These changes affected families’ financial planning and timelines, and nearly 40,000 students had to push their dreams forward by a year.

    Prodigy Finance’s early opening of the 2026 application cycle is designed for those students who need a second opportunity. The company’s loans cover both tuition and living costs, without requiring collateral or a co-signer. In 2025, Prodigy witnessed record demand from more than 150 countries, signaling how deeply the disruptions affected international education plans.
    Sonal Kapoor, Global Chief Business Officer at Prodigy Finance, said the decision was driven by listening to students: “Many had already received acceptances but couldn’t join their programs due to visa delays or incomplete funding. This early launch is our way of helping them try again. Behind every application is a story of sacrifice and hope. If we can help even a few students move forward, it’s worth it.”

    Prodigy Finance’s 2026 loan program includes both top-ranked universities and newer study destinations such as the UAE. Students will be able to borrow in USD, offering some predictability against currency fluctuations and rising costs. Kapoor added that the goal is to help students focus on learning and growth, not logistics.

    The lender continues to support over 250,000 students globally and remains committed to providing accessible financing for higher education, especially in moments of uncertainty.
    At Prittle Prattle News, we honor your dedication and inventiveness led by showcasing you in a positive light. Under the direction of Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is committed to disseminating powerful narratives that raise awareness and motivate change. For more important stories, follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTub
  • India’s transmedia revolution begins with a bold microdrama slate powered by WinZO and Balaji Telefilms

    With over 500 titles launched in 90 days, the platform aims to blend short-form video, gaming, and drama for a 250-million-strong global user base across India, Brazil, and the US

    A new wave of mobile storytelling is unfolding as India’s leading interactive entertainment platform, WinZO, joins forces with content powerhouse Balaji Telefilms to create a universe of cinematic microdramas. Within just three months of launching its microdrama division ZO TV, WinZO has already crossed 500 original titles. Now, through this landmark partnership with Balaji Telefilms, the company is taking Indian short-form storytelling to a global scale.
    The alliance aims to merge Balaji’s celebrated cinematic vision with WinZO’s dynamic digital-first distribution ecosystem, which includes a user base of over 250 million spanning India, Brazil, and the United States. By combining immersive two-minute stories, short-form audio, and casual gaming within a unified platform, WinZO is attempting to rewrite the rules of modern storytelling.

    The global appetite for microdramas is growing rapidly. The short-format drama category is expected to double in value from USD 12 billion in 2025 to over USD 26 billion by 2030. In India, where mobile content is consumed in increasingly shorter bursts, WinZO’s content engine has already surpassed 100 million views in record time, making it a key player in the rapidly evolving attention economy.
    At the heart of this collaboration is the goal to tell stories that are culturally rooted yet visually rich, appealing to an audience that expects cinematic quality in every two-minute scroll. Balaji Telefilms brings its legacy of bold, emotionally resonant storytelling to the table, while WinZO offers a robust digital platform with advanced user analytics, AI-powered content recommendations, and gamified engagement.

    WinZO’s co-founder and spokesperson emphasized the company’s ambition to shape the world’s first mobile-first transmedia ecosystem. According to him, the next frontier in content is not just short, but deeply personal, interactive, and culturally grounded. This partnership, he noted, is about bringing together storytellers and technology innovators to create content that resonates with users across geographies.
    Echoing this vision, Balaji Telefilms’ joint managing director expressed the company’s enthusiasm for adapting its storytelling approach to meet the habits of today’s digital viewer. She remarked that storytelling must constantly evolve to meet the needs of audiences, and microdramas offer a new format to connect, entertain, and inspire. With WinZO, Balaji is investing in a format that could define the next chapter of global Indian entertainment.

    The content created through this partnership will not only be available on ZO TV, but will also be integrated across WinZO’s existing 100-game library. This means users can move seamlessly between watching, playing, and interacting, all within the same app. This cross-format immersion is central to WinZO’s transmedia strategy, which sees storytelling as something that unfolds not just across episodes, but across touchpoints and experiences.
    The company has also announced upcoming investments in creator development programs, mentorship bootcamps, and strategic collaborations at film and content festivals. The aim is to discover and empower the next generation of Indian storytellers, especially those from tier II and tier III cities, who can bring fresh perspectives to short-format fiction.

    WinZO’s storytelling initiative also emphasizes inclusivity, with plans to release content in 15 languages. It is a conscious effort to democratize content creation and consumption, making high-quality microdramas accessible across linguistic and regional divides. The goal is not just reach, but cultural relevance, ensuring that every viewer finds a story that feels personal.
    In a media environment where content fatigue is growing, this partnership between WinZO and Balaji Telefilms reflects a deeper shift toward reimagining how stories are consumed, how creators connect with platforms, and how technology can enhance not dilute the emotional impact of storytelling.
    From its initial launch as a gaming platform to its current evolution into a transmedia destination, WinZO is redefining entertainment for a mobile-first India. This collaboration with Balaji Telefilms stands as a major step in shaping a future where a two-minute story can carry the weight of a full-length narrative and where India leads the charge in exporting such formats to the world.
    At Prittle Prattle News, we honor your dedication and inventiveness led by showcasing you in a positive light. Under the direction of Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is committed to disseminating powerful narratives that raise awareness and motivate change. For more important stories, follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTub
  • Japan’s Teijin and India’s BioVaram enter strategic alliance to advance regenerative medicine and medical device access

    The agreement covers joint work on commercializing Teijin’s SYNFOLIUMⓇ heart repair patch in India and introducing BioVaram’s exosome-based therapeutics and collagen biomaterials in Japan

    In a significant move to bridge medical innovation across Asia, Teijin Limited, a technology-led global group based in Japan, has entered into a strategic partnership with BioVaram, the biotechnology arm of Hyderabad-based UR Advanced Therapeutics Pvt Ltd (URAT). The two companies have signed a formal business alliance agreement to advance the availability and development of regenerative medicine products and implantable medical devices in India and Japan.
    The agreement is a dual-track collaboration that allows Teijin to evaluate and introduce BioVaram’s novel regenerative medicine innovations into Japan, while enabling BioVaram to bring select products from Teijin’s healthcare portfolio into the Indian clinical and regulatory ecosystem.

    One of the key components of this alliance is the proposed regulatory approval and commercialization of SYNFOLIUMⓇ, a bioabsorbable cardiovascular patch developed by Teijin Medical Technologies Co., Ltd., a group company of Teijin Limited. Designed for tissue repair in cardiovascular surgeries, this device is now being evaluated for market entry in India. The partnership aims to expedite this process through local clinical validation and regulatory compliance.
    Equally important to the alliance is the potential expansion of Japan Tissue Engineering Co., Ltd. (J-TEC) products into India. J-TEC, a subsidiary of the Teijin Group, is one of Japan’s leading names in regenerative medicine. Their offerings in skin, cartilage, and tissue-engineered cellular products are currently available only in the Japanese market but are now being explored for introduction to India through this collaboration.

    From the Indian side, BioVaram will evaluate the development and potential approval pathways for some of its flagship innovations in Japan. This includes exosome-based diagnostics and therapeutics, extracellular matrix mimics, and bio-derived materials such as Type I atelocollagen, which are key ingredients in tissue engineering. These products will be positioned for potential development in collaboration with Japanese manufacturing and distribution channels, and technical integration will be a core area of joint planning.
    Commenting on the partnership, Dr. Takayuki Nakano, Mission Executive and General Manager of the Regenerative Medicine & Implantable Medical Device Division at Teijin Limited, said the agreement represents a significant step in the group’s international expansion. “By combining the exceptional technological capabilities and expertise of both companies across the distinct healthcare markets of Japan and India, we are confident in our ability to deliver meaningful therapies that address long-standing gaps in care. This partnership builds on Teijin’s commitment to globalizing its regenerative medicine business.”

    Echoing the sentiment, Jaganmohan Reddy, Founder and CEO of UR Advanced Therapeutics, described the partnership as a milestone in BioVaram’s global journey. “This agreement reinforces our vision to transform India into a centre of excellence for regenerative medicine. Through collaboration with Teijin, we expand our R&D capabilities, scale our manufacturing, and gain access to a healthcare market that is both deeply advanced and open to innovation.”
    Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Hyderabad, BioVaram has rapidly earned recognition as one of India’s most promising biotechnology companies in the space of regenerative medicine and cellular therapeutics. It was named a “Top 5 Startup” at BioAsia 2024 and is known for its in-house development of AI-designed peptides, therapeutic exosomes, and a proprietary portfolio of collagen-based scaffolds and ECM substitutes.

    On the Japanese side, Teijin brings a long-standing legacy in medical and material sciences. Established in 1918 and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE: 3401), Teijin Limited operates across high-performance materials and healthcare, with over 170 group companies globally. Its healthcare division includes Teijin Medical Technologies, Teijin Regenet, and J-TEC, all working across regenerative therapies, CDMO services, and implantable devices.
    In 2022, Teijin consolidated these businesses into a dedicated division focused on regenerative medicine, setting a fiscal 2030 target of JPY 20 billion in global revenue from this vertical. The alliance with BioVaram is expected to play a crucial role in fulfilling this vision by adding scalable, export-ready technologies from India into Teijin’s innovation and commercialization pipeline.

    As part of the roadmap, the companies will jointly assess the regulatory pathways, product compatibility, technical integration, and manufacturing feasibility for several co-developed initiatives. These include cell and gene therapy, bioengineered skin and tissue products, and advanced biomaterials for surgical applications.
    The collaboration also reflects a broader shift toward cross-border innovation in the healthcare sector. With Japan’s super-ageing population and India’s fast-growing biotech capabilities, the alliance between Teijin and BioVaram brings together two ecosystems that are distinct yet complementary.
    As regulatory consultations begin and feasibility studies move forward, both companies will continue to co-develop products that meet shared standards of efficacy, patient safety, and ethical manufacturing.
    This partnership signals not only a new era of product development and global expansion but also a mutual commitment to innovation that is sustainable, accessible, and deeply rooted in science.
    At Prittle Prattle News, we honor your dedication and inventiveness led by showcasing you in a positive light. Under the direction of Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is committed to disseminating powerful narratives that raise awareness and motivate change. For more important stories, follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTub
  • Crossword Book Awards 2025 shortlist highlights children’s stories of friendship, courage, and discovery

    Featuring authors like Zai Whitaker, Varsha Seshan, and Shabnam Minwalla, this year’s children’s shortlist includes six standout titles across mystery, nature, history, and humour

    As Children’s Day 2025 draws near, readers, parents, and educators have more than just nostalgia to look forward to. The Crossword Book Awards 2025 has unveiled its shortlist in the Children’s Literature category, offering a vibrant and diverse reading list that combines heartfelt storytelling, adventure, and deep cultural resonance.
    This year’s handpicked selection features six titles that are as entertaining as they are thoughtful. The authors include celebrated voices in Indian children’s literature and debut names making an impact with fresh narrative energy. From jungles and schoolyards to forgotten empires and mysteries hidden in apartment buildings, each book invites young readers to see the world with empathy, curiosity, and courage.

    At the heart of the shortlist is Varsha Seshan’s The Wall Friends Club, published by HarperCollins Publishers India. The story follows a young girl who discovers the joy of connection and self-expression through a club formed around a compound wall. Enhanced by Denise Antao’s warm illustrations, the book is a quiet tribute to imagination, belonging, and the power of small gestures that become large life lessons.
    Nature lovers and budding ecologists will be drawn to Zai Whitaker’s Ajay of Agumbe and the Signal Snake, published by Pratham Books. This story, illustrated by Rajiv Eipe, takes children into the heart of the Agumbe rainforest. With humour and ecological sensitivity, Whitaker introduces a lovable protagonist whose adventures bring alive India’s biodiversity and its fragile balance.

    In a completely different arena, Vibha Batra’s Kushti Kid (published by Scholastic India) blends sport and emotion through the story of a young wrestler. Batra crafts a character who finds resilience and inner strength amid setbacks, revealing how sports can become a metaphor for life’s inner battles. The storytelling is fast-paced and packed with spirit, making it a perfect read for children navigating their own personal milestones.
    Shifting to a whodunit for young minds, Shabnam Minwalla brings her signature wit to The Body in the Swimming Pool, released by Speaking Tiger. Set in a Mumbai apartment complex, the mystery unfolds with charm and surprise. The book offers clever pacing, sharp characters, and just the right amount of suspense to keep readers hooked while introducing them to layered storytelling.

    For history lovers, The Book of Emperors by Ashwitha Jayakumar is a gem in the shortlist. Published by Penguin Random House India, and illustrated by Nikhil Gulati, the book traces the lives and legacies of India’s great emperors. Without resorting to textbook language, the author makes complex histories accessible and engaging, offering children a new way to connect with their country’s past.
    Each of these titles carries the stamp of what the Crossword Book Awards have come to represent storytelling that remains rooted in Indian realities while sparking the global imagination of the next generation. This year’s selection reflects a growing maturity in Indian children’s publishing, with a shift toward themes that move beyond moral lessons into territory that is bold, layered, and emotionally intelligent.

    The awards, which have long supported both literary merit and reader appeal, signal what young audiences are craving: narratives that trust their intelligence, honour their diversity, and speak directly to their sense of wonder. The selection includes stories that tackle large themes with grace, including environmental protection, gender roles, history, community, and growing up.
    What makes this shortlist particularly timely is how it aligns with what educators and literacy advocates have been underscoring that reading during formative years is not merely about language acquisition or academic edge. It is also about building empathy, critical thinking, and identity. The books featured here give children stories in which they can see themselves, their families, their cities, and their future hopes.

    Each title is available across bookstores and online platforms, making them easily accessible for Children’s Day gifting. More importantly, they offer families and schools an opportunity to start conversations beyond the page about kindness, resilience, teamwork, curiosity, and the unknown paths that every child is destined to travel.
    The Crossword Book Awards, one of India’s oldest and most respected literary recognitions, continues to evolve its categories and outreach. In a market that is often flooded with international imports, this shortlist demonstrates that Indian children’s literature is thriving and deserves to be placed on bookshelves around the world.
    This Children’s Day, parents and educators can do more than gift a book they can open a door. Because stories, especially the right ones, do not just inform. They transform.
    At Prittle Prattle News, we honor your dedication and inventiveness led by showcasing you in a positive light. Under the direction of Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is committed to disseminating powerful narratives that raise awareness and motivate change. For more important stories, follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTub
  • Electric mobility meets education as Guinness World Record holder Sushil Reddy engages students at KLH Bachupally

    KLH students explore climate action, solar transport and the 1.5°C challenge with Sushil Reddy, IIT Bombay alumnus and Guinness World Record holder for longest EV ride

    KLH Bachupally welcomed energy engineer and sustainability advocate Sushil Reddy for an engaging, real-world session on electric mobility, solar energy, and environmental innovation. The event was part of the institution’s ongoing focus on experiential learning, giving students direct exposure to live case studies, technical insights, and the intersection of engineering and environmental change.
    Mr. Reddy, a graduate of IIT Bombay and HEC Paris, is known nationally and internationally for his pioneering efforts in green transportation. He holds the Guinness World Record for the longest journey on a solar-powered electric bicycle across India, an achievement he earned in 2016. His ongoing project, The SunPedal Ride, blends grassroots engagement with clean-energy awareness across cities, campuses, and communities.

    Currently, Mr. Reddy is in the midst of a 60-day, 6,000+ kilometre electric car journey across India. His stop in Hyderabad included a full session at KLH Bachupally, where students interacted with him on the science and real-world impact of electric mobility. The session combined theory with field-based insights, including design fundamentals of electric vehicles, battery systems, drivetrain architecture, and how charging infrastructure is being shaped by user behaviour and geography.
    He also highlighted key takeaways from his past expeditions, including an 8,850 km drive across India’s Golden Quadrilateral highway network. His commentary drew attention to how sustainable mobility is evolving under climate imperatives, with Net Zero goals and the 1.5°C global target providing an urgent framework for innovation and public policy. Through visuals, case studies, and Q&A, students gained a grounded understanding of what India’s electric transition looks like on the ground.

    KL Deemed-to-be University’s Vice President, Er. Koneru Lakshman Havish, shared his reflections on the importance of such engagements, saying, “Innovation matters only when it uplifts people and protects the planet. At our campuses, we nurture that belief through learning experiences that inspire creativity and drive meaningful change toward a greener future. Interactions like these empower students to lead the transition to sustainable technologies through innovation and interdisciplinary learning.”
    The session also aligned with KLH Bachupally’s institutional emphasis on connecting academics with real-world problem-solving. The university regularly hosts expert interactions, technical showcases, and student-led innovation summits to bridge the gap between knowledge and application. Principal Dr. L. Koteswara Rao, who facilitated the session, reiterated the importance of bringing sustainability practitioners to the classroom to spark interdisciplinary dialogue.

    Students raised critical questions around cost economics, grid dependency, and lifecycle emissions of electric vehicles. Mr. Reddy responded with examples from his own expeditions, illustrating how charging networks, government policy, and regional climate differences influence adoption. His message was clear: technical skills must be combined with public purpose to achieve true climate innovation.
    The event concluded with a discussion on the broader opportunities for engineers, entrepreneurs, and scientists in India’s growing electric mobility sector. Mr. Reddy encouraged students to look at sustainability not as a separate subject, but as a lens that cuts across disciplines from design and computing to public health and data science.
    KLH Bachupally continues to build a learning ecosystem rooted in contemporary relevance, ethical leadership, and global competence. Sessions such as this not only enrich classroom learning but also cultivate a generation of professionals who can lead India’s clean energy future.
    At Prittle Prattle News, we honor your dedication and inventiveness led by showcasing you in a positive light. Under the direction of Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is committed to disseminating powerful narratives that raise awareness and motivate change. For more important stories, follow us on LinkedInInstagram, and YouTub