Identification of mental health issues among children, that can be treated with medical interventions often get delayed due to lack of awareness, said experts during a virtual briefing conducted by SOS Children`s Villages India ahead of World Mental Health Day. The WHO estimates that the burden of mental health problems in India is 2443 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 10,000 population while as per the National Health Survey 2016, 6-7% of the population suffers from mental disorders. In order to help children, achieve their full potential, ensuring, sustaining and enhancing mental wellbeing is vital. Dr. Nimesh G. Desai, President and Mentor of Manovikas E-Gyanshala; Former Director of the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS); Former Faculty Member, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore and AIIMS; Mr. Sumanta Kar, Secretary General, SOS Children`s Villages India, and Ms. Reena Chhatriya, SOS Mother, took part in the discussion. While addressing the gravity of mental health issues in India, Dr. Nimesh G. Desai, said: “It is not only vital to sensitise children, caregivers, and family members about mental health, but it is also important to sensitise peers about the gravity of this subject and how they could possibly support someone struggling with the issue, in various ways. Support of family and peers is vital.” Talking about the early identification of symptoms, Dr. Desai added, “Withdrawal, anger issues, drastic change in eating or sleeping habits and such require attention, addressal and support. Direct expression or indirect evidence of negative thoughts, pessimism and hopelessness must be seen as a red alert. A decade ago, our supposition that children don`t have suicidal tendencies has been proven wrong. Unfortunately, children do suffer from depression, either because of their genetic make-up or because of circumstances, trauma et cetera. Adolescence is a sensitive age, where children go through extreme emotional turmoil, besides physical and mental changes. The general resilience of human beings is more at a young age, and so as a population sub-group they fare well, despite apparent and significant distress; this helps in getting through with minimal to moderate support, while some young people may need specialised professional attention.” Mr. Sumanta Kar commented, “At SOS Children`s Villages India, we take mental wellbeing very seriously. Initiatives to enhance this vital aspect of health are taken, on a consistent basis, for Mothers, caregivers, children and co-workers. The pandemic was an extremely challenging phase, for which EmoAid, among others, was introduced. Besides this, for children programmes like the resilience building programme, the new child entry programme and the positive youth development programme are some examples. Health of the caregiver or Mother is paramount, as they carry such an important responsibility on their shoulder. Programmes such as Emotional Literacy and SEL have been actively introduced. The crux of the matter remains that having a solid support system is ababsolutely essential. This includes a family, siblings and friends. All our Basket of Care Solutions focus on securing this by preventing child abandonment or / and extending family like care to parentless or abandoned children. Spending quality time with children and a caring family environment is critical for the mental well-being of children. Encouraging Participation of children in all decision making at early age and developing social skills are important. While caregivers focus on the wellbeing of the children, they should also find time for themselves.” SOS Mother Reena Chhatriya said, “I have been associated with SOS Children`s Villages India for over 8 years and have brought-up 10 children so far. Children hail from different backgrounds and have different histories, so each child has to be approached differently. For this, multi-dimensional support is availed from a wide variety of experts. I remember the pandemic, when the situation was especially tough, as we were all confined; anxiety and stress levels because of uncertainness and fear were high. We tried to tide over these times by cooking exquisite meals with the help of recipes available on the internet, meditation, yoga, dance, creative indoor games, and other group activities. Besides, it is important to observe, be aware and keep communication channels open.” It was further concluded in the session that increased interest in mental health issues has been credited the acceptance of the same in society. With people becoming aware, help is sought early enough for interventions to work out well.

Fastrack, the youth fashion accessories brand unveils its Autumn Winter Collection of bags for girls. With a range of trendy designs and fun colours, Fastrack`s AW22 collection is the perfect choice to upgrade your style quotient this season. This festive season, Bags by Fastrack brings to you Athlence. The bags in this collection are designed to dash of glamour to comfy athleisure fits. Curated to the preferences of the Gen Z, the bags are available in the season`s favourite colors like Lilac Chalk, Galactic Teal and Wavelight. With trending features like monochromatic trims and webbing detailing, these bags are a perfect complement to chic and sporty looks. For the girls always on-the-go, the Athlence collection has 45 unique designs, available at an attractive starting price point of INR 945. One of this season`s `must-have` features an uber chic backpack with multi-carry options. This bag can be carried as an arm-candy in your hands, slung across your shoulder or worn on the back. The clean lines and the subtle metallic detailing make it the perfect bag to complete your comfy althleisure looks. The semi-circular sling bag is another the must-have this season. The slings add a touch glamour to elevate your comfy athleisure looks. Also available in the AW22 collection is the range of soft sling bags with pleated detailing which will be the perfect arm candy for your day-to-night looks. Fastrack`s AW22 collection also introduces laptop totes that allow you to carry your laptop and all your college essentials in style. It combines practicality and fashion so you don`t have to compromise on your everyday college looks. The tote collection ranges from chic medium-sized totes to large spacious totes to compliment your cozy winter looks. Don`t forget to grab hold of Fastrack`s new range of petite satchel bags that will effortlessly enhance your ensemble, making it your go-to accessory for casual winter strolls or hot chocolate runs to your favourite cafe. Ranging from totes and laptop bags to sling bags and cute satchels, Fastrack bags are available to shop on the Fastrack website, in Fastrack stores and major retailers and department stores across the country.

This Diwali, think out of the box! Adorn your home with elegant sparkling lanterns that bring up the festive mood! Visit us:  www.kaiyaan.com Address: No. 49, Poonamallee High Road, Kattupakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600056.

It`s that time of the year when the festival of lights dazzles one and all with its brilliance, colour and joy! This Diwali, gift your loved ones traditional indulgences and thoughtfully-designed Diwali hampers from Taj Coromandel-Chennai. These hampers, with a host of options to suit every budget, feature an array of homemade artisanal treats, epicurean delights and luxury accessories to illuminate your celebrations. Guests can choose from hampers available or customize their own hampers to make this festival truly memorable. Choose from Umang, Nakshatra, Prithvi, Aakash, Tejas, Udarsh, Vaidik, Yash, Ari, Subham, Divyam, Diva and Coromandel ­hampers. The highlight of the offerings is the luxurious COROMANDEL HAMPER that includes Classic Handmade Almond Rocks; Traditional Homemade Mithai; Hand Molded Truffle Chocolates; Artisanal Swiss Valrhona Dark Chocolate Slabs; Exquisite Homemade Baklava Premium Stuffed Dates; Imported Vintage Cheddar Cheese; Extra Virgin Olive & Basil Cheese Crackers; Tagliatelle with Truffles; Black Truffle Pâté; Pack of Imported Truffle Powder; Scottish Wildflower Vanilla Fudge; Zero Proof Sparkling Wine Imported Avocado Oil; Elegant Bar Kit, Faaya; Hand Crafted Marble Coaster; Writing Instrument by Montblanc; Exclusive Wallet by Montblanc; Silver Plated Tealight; Silver Bookmark by Taj Khazana; Ladies Long Leather Wallet by Taj Khazana; Apple I Phone Pro; Apple Airpod Pro; Gold Coin; Silver Plated Ganesha Idol; Festive Diya; and Diwali Pearl Toran. This comes elegantly packed in designer hamper basket and is priced at INR 5,00,000 plus taxes. La Patisserie at Taj Coromandel | Until October 30 | Price range: INR 1500 (plus taxes) to INR 5,00,000 (plus taxes) | To place your order / for more details, please call 044 6600 2827

The Kalyanaraman Family`s Navratri festive bash was marked by a grand festivities in presence of some of the most reputed stars from across film industries in India. While the global brand ambassador of Kalyan Jewellers, Katrina Kaif was once again a part of the Navratri festivities, the evening was marked by the special appearance of superstar Ranbir Kapoor. Every year, during the auspicious festival of Navratri, Kalyanaraman family (Kalyan Jewellers) practices the tradition, keeping `Bommai kolu`. The order in which the Bommai or the dolls are kept also has its own significance. It is symbolic of the growth of human life from a materialistic level to the elevated spiritual. At the very bottom of the steps are the ordinary scenes of village life, temples, towns and it elevates to the most powerful forms of Gods towards the higher steps. As part of this tradition, the idols of the Gods and Goddesses from the Hindu mythology are kept on odd numbered steps, and guests are invited on all nine days. The festivites culminated with a star studded Navami celebration. The private evening included celebrities such as Pritviraj, Tovino Thomas, Nivin Pauly, Jayasoorya, Jayaram & Parvathy, Silambarasan, Vikram Prabhu, Sneha & Prasanna, Arun Vijay, Regina Cassandra, Neeraj Madhav, Kalyani Priyadarshan alongside father and legendary director Priyadarshan as well as National Award Winner – Aparna Balamurali. Singers like Vijay Yesudas, M G Sreekumar and music director Ouseppachan were also present. To add to this, Kalyan Jewellers` regional brand ambassadors Prabhu Ganesan (Tamil Nadu), Akkineni Nagarjuna (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana), Kinjal Rajpriya (Gujarat), Pooja Sawant (Maharashtra) and Ritabhari Chakraborty (West Bengal) graced the evening with their presence.

Over 100 students from different nationalities graduated from various optometry programmes under the Sankara Academy of Vision. The Sankara College of Optometry, affiliated to the RGUHS, is among the top rated colleges of Optometry in India, and have students from Nepal, Srilanka and Middle East, apart from India. Addressing the students at the convocation, Prof. Curtis Backstrom, Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and the College of Optometrists in Vision Development said, ‘To achieve excellence in optometry, one requires hard work, diligence and the need to be empathetic. In this era, medical learning, particularly for optometry should not be limited to just theories and practical classes, students should be taught the skills of adaptability in this rapidly changing digital world. It is exciting to see Sankara College of Optometry with eminent faculty having moulded the best optometrists in India by leveraging the latest technology and infrastructure’ Prof. Aditya Goyal, Sankara College of Optometry said, ‘Over the past decade we have ensured our students have access to the best of equipment’s, infrastructure in our laboratory and clinical exposure to enable them to be confident on completion of the course. We are proud to have secured most of the top ranks in the university exam and also drive innovation and research’. The event also saw the presence of Dr Kaushik Murali, President, Sankara Eye Foundation India. Prof Babu Noushad, University of Buraimi and Mrs Lakshmi Shinde, Global Educator IACLE. What made the day unique was that there were 2 parallel continuing medical education initiatives over the day that benefitted over 100+ optometrists and 20 faculties in optometry. While Prof. Baxtrom helped the audience unravel aspects of how neurological aspects can be used in vision therapy, Prof Noushad helped the faculty with tools that could enable outcome based education. Optometrists are trained over a 4 year programme to treat, manage and correct disorders and diseases of the visual system, the eye and its associated structures. Scope of An Optometrist includes being an independent clinical practitioner, working as a clinician in eye hospitals, be placed in multi-national companies or as a research scholar or an academician.

Apollo Hospitals in collaboration with Clinical Psychology Society of India organised a one day national symposium on mental health awareness in Ethiraj College for Women today, on the occasion of World Mental health day. World Mental Health Day is celebrated on October 10 every year for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. The symposium was focused on the international theme of the year `Making Mental Health and Well-Being for All a Global Priority. They symposium was inaugurated by Honourable Minister for Health and Family Welfare Thiru. MA.Subramanian. Dignitaries including Dr. Venkatachalam DMS Apollo hospitals, Mr Muralidharan, Chairman of Ethiraj College for Women, Dr Jamuna Rajendran, president of CPSI and the head of neuro psychology department national Institute of mental health and neurosciences,Bengaluru, Dr Karthikeyan vice president of CPSI and Dr.Suresh kumar clinical psychologist Department of psychiatry, Madurai medical College were present. The symposium was attended by around 300 students, professionals and clinical psychologist and organisational psychologist. The main aim of the symposium was to create awareness on mental health preventing suicide

Crown Worldwide Group said it had entered the workspace business to help companies to consolidate their workspaces post COVID-19. It has also entered into warehouse space management, a top executive said. “We have ventured into what is called workspace business. All corporates are now either right sizing or resizing or consolidating their base because the equation of businesses have changed post their digitisation,” said Srinivas Krishnan, regional managing director, Crown Worldwide Group- South Asia. “A lot of companies, as a result of increased cost pressure, are trying to consolidate their workforce at one location. They are moving to bigger premises instead of having multiple offices. We are helping them in seamless transition,” he said on the occasion of completing 25 years in the company. Stating that this was an extension of the company`s relocation business, he said this service would enable corporates to move their computers, servers and furniture. “And when you are trying to consolidate, you will always be having a lot of excess furniture. So we digitise them, barcode them and keep them in our warehouse so that, it could be reused in times of need.” he added. He said this business would be scaled up to all over India in 2023. Mr. Krishnan said the company had forayed into the warehouse space management to broad base its service offerings. “Now, with the Indian government coming up with PLI scheme for a lot of companies to manufacture in India, there is going to be acute shortage of warehouses. We will manage warehouses for effective use” he said. “It could be either on a project basis or it could be where we are consulting or after the warehouse is ready. We might be doing third-party logistics depending upon what the opportunity is” he added.

FELA Foundation organized India’s biggest Education Summit titled ‘MANTHAN (A Positive Step): New Education Technologies’ to celebrate the completion of 2 years of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The national summit that was held in Pride Plaza, Aerocity, New Delhi saw the presence of numerous honourable Vice-Chancellors/ Chancellors/ Registrars/ Deans across the country. The vice-chancellors included Dr. Sandeep Sancheti (Marwadi University, Rajkot), Dr. Sunil Rai (University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun), Dr. Harsh Sadawarti (CT University, Ludhiana), Tankeshwar Kumar (Central University, Haryana), Som Sharma founder Edu Brain Group among others. The Grand National Summit aimed to focus on vital education topics including • Highlight the Government of India’s ceaseless efforts in promoting digital learning through the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. • Disseminate the positive impact of NEP 2020 in this tech-driven world to a greater mass. • Substantiate the use of New Educational Technologies in the higher education sector, be it in urban or rural areas. • Create an inimitable connection between the higher education sector and tech-driven companies/organizations. • Highlight the importance of new educational technologies in the current era. • Provide a platform for tech-driven companies to widen their reach in every corner of the nation so that the government’s ultimate objective of NEP gets fulfilled. • Promote the development of the education sector with the incorporation of helpful technologies in a variant higher education field. The FELA is a highly-admired and committed forum for Higher Education Leaders across the globe, named the Federation of Educational Leaders and Administrators Foundation (FELA). The FELA acts as the voice of the education industry and brings together senior academic community members, industry leaders, and policymakers to promote a democratic change in education technologies. Besides, the organization also aims to promote numerous productive education policies and thrive to narrow down educational grievances.

Authored by Mr. Gokul-Psychologist and Research Associate Sankara Eye Hospital, Bangalore Medical research has demonstrated close links between eye health and mental health. World Mental Health Day (October 10) is an apt occasion to examine this relationship. People with vision related problems often develop mental health problems like anxiety, depression etc. owing to the stress of living with their condition. It is important to note that if you experience any vision related symptoms, it is necessary to take care of your mental health as well. Seeking help from your family doctor or a psychology expert can help you manage the impact of your condition and protect your mental well-being. Your Eyes and Mental Health-What is the link Diminution of vision from the natural visual ability can be devastating to your mental health, since it impacts a vital sense that plays a crucial part in your ability to form memories and interact with the world. You may have to rely on visual aids like spectacles to undertake everyday tasks like cooking, shopping, and getting around your home. Studies have shown that a quarter of adult patients with vision problems report experiencing anxiety or depression as they find it difficult to get accustomed to their new normal life. Younger people with vision loss were multiple times more likely to develop a mental health condition than people above 65 years or older. How mental health disorders impact Eye Health It is known that people with bi-polar disorder or schizophrenia are more likely to develop glaucoma later in life and patients with major depressive disorder have a greater risk for glaucoma and dry-eye syndrome and age-related macular degeneration. Stress is a major factor in the development and progression of many eye conditions. Among adults, stress could be due to family pressure, marital discord, or work pressure. These conditions if persistent over a long time could impact eye health through stress. If a person is unable to ensure an outflow of this stress, then it is likely that the person will develop depression, anxiety and bi-polar disorder, all of which create different eye conditions. Do not neglect Children`s Mental Health Children with eye-health issues are much more likely to suffer mental health problems (especially anxiety and depression) than children who do not have these difficulties. Some of the primary factors that cause mental health problems in these children include social difficulties and loneliness, reduced mobility and reduced ability to take part in age-appropriate leisure activities with peers, social exclusion, bullying and increased dependency on others, especially adult caregivers. Taking steps to normalize your child`s the condition, increase their independence and social opportunities can protect or improve their mental health. When possible, , set up home and school environments with accommodations that make them easier to navigate with vision impairment. Surprisingly, these days, stress is seen among kids as well, thanks to the digital world. Overexposure to screens is a significant concern for eye health. However, sudden changes to prevent children of these screen time can impact the parent- child relationship and child`s mental health, thus calling for comprehensive behavioral interventions with help of professionals to help reduce screen time among children with less pressure and stress on them. Tips for Healthy Eyes and a Healthy Mind Identifying Stress And Developing Coping Strategies It is important to identify and recognize the stress condition. It is also necessary to formulate coping strategies that will help deal with stress. Resorting to unhealthy coping habits such as smoking or drinking provides momentary relief, however engaging regularly in healthy practices such as hobbies cooking or photography would alleviate the impact of stress in the long term. Daily Exercise Develop an exercise routine daily and adhere to the schedule as this will alleviate stress in the long run. Physical activity produces mood-boosting brain chemicals and reduces your risk of developing conditions that can cause vision problems, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Diet Regulation Eat well: A balanced diet will provide you with all the vitamins and minerals you need to keep your eyes healthy. Seek Doctor`s Help & Counselling Comprehensive eye exams can identify most vision problems, even in their early stages. If your doctor spots a problem, you can begin treatment immediately to slow the progression of the disease. Psychologist through counselling and other interventions will help you make the necessary lifestyle changes for your eye health and also overcome the psychological/emotional impact due to eye health issues.

The new campus of the Institute of Bakery & Culinary Arts (IBCA) was inaugurated by Chef Vivek Saggar General Secretary of the Indian Culinary Forum. The event was also graced by various renowned chefs across the hospitality Industry. Meanwhile, the Indian Culinary Forum hosted a Culinary Competition at IBCA`s new campus. Speaking at the inauguration Chef Vivek Saggar Said “ICF`s aim is not merely recognition of talents but also empowering talents with latest culinary knowledge and skills which not only helps in career development but also helps the country by spreading the footprint of Indian cuisine around the world”. He further said the hospitality industry is flourishing and growing exponentially. The Indian hospitality industry is also thriving and is known as the hub filled with global opportunities for bakery and culinary arts. Both culinary arts and bakery demand students to possess a love for food. Though bakery and culinary arts are interesting careers there`s a lot to learn if you wish to build a career. Dr. Chef Balendra Singh Director of IBCA said “This celebration marks the culmination of many long hours of hard work and dedicated study that our students have so reverently put in to achieve this great success. We are excited to be able to provide a whole new world of possibilities to our students where their personal and professional development is our prime responsibility for them to achieve new heights in their careers. IBCA offers them all the resources they need to advance their amateur careers while receiving professional guidance. Our Bakery and Culinary Arts Instructors offer their knowledge and years of experience to students, paving the way for them to advance their talents. We are able to provide our students with an international curriculum to give them the right exposure for equipping them with the highest standards.