CHENNAI PLUS

Apollo First Med Hospital, Kilpauk is organising a Free Obesity & Weight Management Camp on August 30, 2025. This special camp offers Free Body Composition Analysis (BCA), Expert consultation to understand weight loss challenges, personalized Guidance, and exclusive discounts on further tests. The camp will be led by Dr. Preethi Mrinalini, Consultant – Laparoscopic & Bariatric Surgeon, Apollo First Med Hospitals, Kilpauk.   DATE:           Saturday, August 30, 2025 TIME:           10 AM to 12 PM VENUE:       Apollo First Med Hospitals, Kilpauk   For further details / registration and inquiries kindly contact: 7401114661

The city of Mumbai witnessed a glittering evening of celebration at the Rich Presents Hospitality Horizon Bakery, Patisserie & Chocolate Awards 2025, hosted at Novotel Airport, Andheri East. This event was presented by Rich Products and organised by Hospitality Horizon Magazine—a leading industry publication. The awards night brought together the who’s who of the baking industry, with an illustrious line-up of celebrity chefs and industry stalwarts to honour excellence and innovation in the world of bakery,patisserie, and chocolate. Among the distinguished attendees were Chef Ajay Chopra, Rakhee Vaswani, Sanjana Patel, Chef Vinesh Johny, Rohit Sangwan, Tejasvi Chandela, Zeba Kohli, and many more, were making the evening a true celebration of talent, creativity, and craftsmanship in bakery, patisserie, and chocolate. A highlight of the evening was the recognition of the Top 10 Chain Bakeries and Top 10 Standalone Bakeries in India, who travelled from across the country to ...

The Last Layman (And His Last Sin) is the most recent novel by Salil Jose, a journalist based in Chennai. The narrative centers on the sole remaining member of what was once a prominent parish nestled in the hills. Philip Joseph, a sporadic church attendee, returns to his hometown in the hills after over fifty years in the city, reconnecting with fellow parishioners. He is an indifferent churchgoer, lacking even the most fundamental prayers. He hosts gatherings for the village youth who assist him. During these celebrations, while under the influence, this elderly man discloses the transgressions of his past. As time progresses, all others depart the hills, leaving only Philip behind. Now at the advanced age of 90, he feels compelled to confess his final sin. He approaches the parish priest with a bottle of whiskey, imploring the vicar to share a drink with him and hear his confession. The priest declines his request. The old man continues to reside alone in the hills, burdened b...

Cognizant announced that CEO Ravi Kumar S. has been named to the 2025 TIME 100 AI list. This prestigious recognition highlights Kumar’s visionary leadership and contributions to the field of enterprise AI. The TIME 100 AI list highlights the most influential leaders, thinkers, scientists, and policymakers across various fields, who are shaping today’s AI landscape. Inclusion on this list not only reflects Kumar’s dedication and contributions to advancing AI technology but also underscores Cognizant's commitment to driving innovation and excellence across the industry. Under Kumar’s leadership, Cognizant pledged $1 billion in 2023 to accelerate enterprise AI. The company is now close to reaching 1MM people with skilling and training opportunities on AI and advanced technologies through its global Synapse skilling initiative. Furthering this commitment, Kumar also recently initiated the world’s largest vibe coding event among Cognizant employees to drive AI literacy at all levels...

Kauvery Hospital Vadapalani has unveiled Kauvery-SAC - Sports Medicine & Arthroscopy Centre  setting a new benchmark in advanced orthopaedic care for the city. The centre also offers cartilage regenerative therapy for young, active individuals, providing cutting-edge solutions to preserve and restore joint health at an early stage. With this launch, Kauvery Vadapalani positions itself as Chennai’s exclusive destination for arthroscopy, the gold standard in minimally invasive joint treatment. Arthroscopy, a procedure performed through keyhole incisions using high-definition 3D cameras and specialized instruments, has revolutionized orthopaedics worldwide. Globally, more than 5 million arthroscopic procedures are performed annually, and studies show that it offers patients up to 50% faster recovery compared to open surgeries, with lower complication rates. Despite its advantages, awareness in India remains limited, often being associated only with elite athletes. Kauvery Vadapala...

   In a strategic move to accelerate digital transformation in industrial operations, the Material Handling Equipment (MHE) business of Godrej Enterprises Group (GEG) has launched SafeLog – Vehicle Monitoring System, an advanced IoT-enabled solution designed to elevate safety, efficiency, and reliability in forklift operations. It enables proactive maintenance and data-driven decision-making, helping businesses maintain high safety standards while optimizing overall cost of ownership. SafeLog is seamlessly integrated into GEG’s forklift range and is purpose-built to address the growing complexity of industrial operations. Anil Lingayat, Business Head, Material Handling Equipment, Godrej Enterprises Group, said , “ SafeLog reflects our commitment to building intelligent, connected solutions for the material handling industry. It enables proactive maintenance, enhances safety, and delivers measurable value to our customers. With innovations like SafeLog, we continue to suppor...

Amid escalating concerns over digital sovereignty and data privacy, HCLSoftware, a global leader in enterprise software solutions, has reaffirmed its commitment to providing Sovereign Collaboration solutions for critical infrastructure in governments and regulated industries. This announcement comes in light of recent industry developments that underscore the geopolitical risks associated with dependency on global hyperscalers and SaaS solution providers.   HCLSoftware's HCL Domino is trusted by over 200+ government agencies and state and local government clients globally for sovereign collaboration and applications that run their business operations.    “Organizations in critical sectors, such as Governments, should not be constrained by software and cloud decisions that compromise their digital independence and data privacy. With the recent launch of Domino 14.5, which includes Sovereign AI, HCLSoftware is dedicated to leading the charge in providing secure Sove...

HCLTech, a leading global technology company, held its flagship Campus Connect event, HCLTech Talks at SSN College of Engineering, Chennai. Over 600 circuit branch engineering students attended a session on the future of software engineering, exploring new trends and career paths.   The initiative reflects HCLTech’s commitment to fostering innovation and talent in academic settings. Since its launch in January 2025, the HCLTech Talks, Campus Connect Program has reached over 7,000 students across India, engaging them through a dynamic blend of virtual and on-campus sessions. Monthly virtual Tech Talks have connected with more than 1,500 engineering colleges, while live, in-person events have enabled over 3,000 students to interact directly with industry leaders on technology and career topics.   The session at SSN College of Engineering in Chennai was conducted by Koteswaran Srinivasan, Global Technology Director of Engineering and R&D Services at HCLTech, who delivered...

HCLTech , a leading global technology company, in collaboration with  Pearson India  and under the strategic advisory of  MeitY Startup Hub , today announced the launch of ARISE FOR YOU™, a trans-formative national initiative aimed at igniting the entrepreneurial spirit among India’s youth.   ARISE FOR YOU™ (Aspire. Rise. Inspire. Skill. Excel.) is a pan-India innovation and entrepreneurship challenge designed to discover, nurture and elevate the next generation of student entrepreneurs. With over 150,000 students expected to participate across 3,000+ campuses, the initiative will culminate in a Grand National finale on March 12–13, 2026, celebrating India’s brightest young minds.   The initiative is supported by MeitY Startup Hub, which brings its innovation ecosystem and 62+ hubs to mentor and counsel participants. Pearson India provides the Entrepreneurship and Small Business (ESB) certification and learning content, while Thought Pencil leads the marketi...

HCLTech, a leading global technology company, announced a global partnership with Thought Machine, a pioneer in cloud native banking technology, to accelerate the modernization of banks worldwide. The partnership aims to enable banks to rapidly transition from legacy systems and frameworks to intelligent, autonomous financial institutions powered by AI and cloud technologies.   Thought Machine’s Vault platform next-generation core banking and payments technology will be at the core of this transformation. By replacing outdated infrastructure with Vault’s cloud native architecture, banks can automate key operations, enhance efficiency and deliver personalized customer experiences. HCLTech will bring its deep expertise in banking technology, regulatory compliance and complex integrations to support rapid innovation and faster product launches.   As part of the partnership, HCLTech will offer full-stack transformation services through Vault-certified ...

  Cognizant Foundation India  marked a significant milestone – 20 years of transformative social impact across the country. The commemorative event, hosted at Cognizant campus, MEPZ, Chennai, brought together over 350 attendees, including partner NGOs, Cognizant leaders, associates, Cognizant Outreach volunteers, and key stakeholders to celebrate the Foundation’s enduring legacy of collaboration, innovation, and lasting social change.   A highlight of the event was the launch of - The Light That Lives on - a curated book, featuring real-life stories of individuals whose lives have been positively impacted through the Foundation’s initiatives in education, healthcare, and livelihoods. These narratives highlight the transformative change that can happen when communities, technology, and purposeful action join hands.   "As we look back on the 20 years of purposeful work across the country, every partnership and every life touched stands as a testament to Cogni...

ICWO and ABHY DAN Trust launched the "Go Green" campaign in Karur District, Tamil Nadu on July 21-22, 2025, planting 294 saplings on private farmland. An additional 322 saplings were planted on August 16-17, bringing the total to 616. The goal is to plant 3,000 saplings by October 31, 2025.   The project includes purchasing, planting, and maintaining the saplings for one year, costing Rs. 300 each. The selected tree species, like Mahogany and Neem, offer economic, medicinal, and ecological benefits. ICWO will expand the initiative to Corporation Schools in Chennai, aiming to contribute to environmental protection and biodiversity.

Nxtra Data Limited, a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel (Airtel), today, unveiled its Sustainability Report for FY 2024-25 . The Report details the company’s progress in building digital infrastructure that is intelligent, scalable and sustainable.   The report highlights Nxtra’s commitment and progress across the three pillars of sustainability — minimizing environmental impact through cleaner energy and smarter operations, advancing social inclusion and safety and reinforcing governance with transparency and accountability at its core.   Ashish Arora, CEO – Nxtra by Airtel , said, “At Nxtra, sustainability is a core business imperative embedded into every design, build and operation decision we make. This year, we have set new benchmarks for the industry by becoming the first data centre and only the 14th company in the country to join the global RE100 initiative and commit to the use of 100% renewable energy for all our operations. We are also the first in the country to ha...

The Appliances business of Godrej & Boyce, part of the Godrej Enterprises Group has expanded its AC portfolio with a stronger focus on light commercial ACs to meet the unique needs of large residential and commercial spaces. Its commercial portfolio now features One-way Cassette and Four-way Cassette ACs in 2 Ton and 3 Ton capacities, Tower ACs ranging from 2 Ton to 4 Ton capacities as well as Turbo Cool Split AC in 2.5 Ton and 3 Ton with the largest indoor unit width in the industry for 3 Ton AC offering wider air throw and powerful cooling. The brand’s entire commercial AC portfolio is AI Powered and offers intelligent cooling based on ambient heat sensing and user proximity, optimizing energy consumption and cooling performance. Other advanced features include Smart IOT to effortlessly manage the AC anytime, anywhere, through the app, 4-way swing for uniform air distribution, inverter and 5-in-1 convertible technology for flexible usage and energy saving. These air conditioner...

Maayol, a collective group art exhibition featuring nine distinguished female artists, was officially launched on August 21, 2025, by the esteemed guests, Lakshmi Krishnamurthy, alongside Jayakumar, at the Soul Spice Art Gallery, situated at No. 21/11, 1st Main Road, C. I. T Colony, Mylapore, Chennai. The participating artists exhibiting their work include Priya Elayaraja, Sowmya R Iyal, Janani Pradeep Kumar, R Srividhyaa, Gauya Gunasekaran, Poornima, M Nirmala, Nila Naveen, and Navena Kumari. The exhibition will run until August 23, 2025. Gallery is open from 11am to 7pm. 

Animal Liberation Now! held the first Animal Rights Protest on Indian Independence Day outside the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, also known as Vandalur Zoo. The protest highlighted the unfairness of keeping animals in captivity and called for an end to exploitation masked as conservation.   Nineteen activists from across India gathered to demand freedom for animals held for human profit and entertainment. They fought against speciesism, which views humans as superior and entitled to control other animals. The activists encouraged the public to reject this mindset and end animal slavery.   Banners displayed messages such as “Are They Not Worthy of Freedom?” and “Slavery by Any Name is Still Slavery. ” Activists engaged visitors with thought-provoking questions like whether independence should only apply to humans. While some children showed curiosity, parents often hurried them away. A few visitors expressed understanding but chose to enter the zoo regardless. Activists arg...

  Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) has successfully completed its  attempt for a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the most participants in an online generative AI hackathon .Over a ten-day period, 53,199 Cognizant associates across 40 countries took part in a Vibe Coding event, a global initiative designed to democratize innovation and build AI fluency at scale. An official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS adjudicator confirmed Cognizant’s achievement in the category of most participants in an online generative AI hackathon, not only achieving but smashing the previous record. In addition to the event being a world record, it also generated 30,601 ideas and working prototypes that were submitted by associates around the world.Submissions ranged from an HR wellness companion app for busy professionals, to an app that checks brand compliance and corporate identity in support of a company’s marketing efforts. Cognizant’s record-setting event invited all associates from across the company’s ...