Dr. Divyesh Patel, Hematologist, HCG Cancer Centre – Vadodara Cancer can affect anyone, irrespective of age, gender, and race. The disease can also affect any part of the body when cells in the body divide rapidly, causing tumours to form and spread throughout the body. Cancer is often categorised based on the type of cells that are initially impacted, even though there are many different varieties of cancer, each with its own characteristics. Lymphoma is one such cancer. Also known as immune system cancer, Lymphoma develops when white blood cells called lymphocytes grow rapidly. These lymphocytes are part of your immune system, which helps fight infection of any kind. Lymphocytes travel around your body in the lymphatic system carrying a fluid called lymph. The lymph fluid passes through glands (lymph nodes), which are spread throughout your body. Though Lymphoma is prevalent worldwide, educating yourself about its causes and how it can be treated at the earliest is always beneficial. There are two types of lymphoma one can keep in mind basis the symptoms, they are Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Symptoms: The symptoms of lymphoma can vary depending on the type and stage of the disease. Common symptoms of lymphoma include the following: Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin, fatigue and weakness, fever and chills, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, Itching, shortness of breath, chest pain. Causes: The exact cause of lymphoma is unknown, but certain risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing the disease. These include: Weakened immune system: People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV or who have had an organ transplant, are more likely to develop lymphoma. Age: Lymphoma is highly common in people over the age of 60. Family History: People with a family history of lymphoma are at a slightly higher risk of developing the disease. Exposure to certain chemicals: Exposure to certain chemicals, such as pesticides, can increase the risk of lymphoma. Infection: Certain infections, such as the Epstein-Barr virus and the Helicobacter pyloribacteria, have been linked to an increased risk of lymphoma. The treatment for lymphoma depends on the type and stage of the disease and the person’s overall health. Treatment options include: Chemotherapy: This is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy is often used to treat both Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Radiation Therapy: This treatment uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. It is often used in combination with chemotherapy to treat lymphoma. Immunotherapy: This treatment uses drugs to help the immune system fight cancer. It is often used to treat certain types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Stem cell transplant: This treatment involves replacing damaged stem cells with healthy ones. It is often used to treat lymphoma that has come back after previous treatment. To sum it up, lymphoma is a form of cancer that needs immediate medical attention, especially when experiencing crucial symptoms. A quick diagnosis can help detect the treatment for the illness. Treatment options include chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy, depending on the prognosis.

Dr B K Vishwanath Bhat ,Pediatrician and MD of Radhakrishna Multispecialty Hospital, Bengaluru Immunization is one of the most important ways to protect children from serious and life-threatening diseases. Vaccines work by helping the body build immunity to specific infections or diseases. When children receive vaccinations, their immune system produces a response that helps them fight off the specific disease if they are ever exposed to it. Here are some key reasons why immunization is important for children: Prevention of serious illnesses: Vaccines are designed to protect children from serious and life-threatening illnesses such as diphtheria,pertussis,measles, mumps,rubella,polio, tetanus, hepatitis B, HIB,pneumococcus,rotaviruses,chickenpox and influenza. Protection of the community: Vaccinations not only protect the individual child, but also contribute to the overall protection of the community by reducing the spread of infectious diseases. Safe and effective: Vaccines are thoroughly tested for safety and effectiveness before they are approved for use. Serious side effects from vaccines are extremely rare. Cost-effective: Vaccinations are a cost-effective way to prevent disease and reduce healthcare costs associated with treating infectious diseases. Long-term protection: Immunization provides long-term protection against infectious diseases, which can have serious and lasting health consequences. Required for school and daycare: In many countries, children are required to be vaccinated before they can attend school or daycare, in order to protect the health of all students and staff. Overall, immunization is a critical component of children’s health and well-being. By getting their recommended vaccines on schedule, children can stay healthy and protected from serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses.

To encourage sustainability initiatives and promote the importance of environmental conservation, Ekya Schools has collaborated with the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) in their one-of-a-kind Bee Hotels initiative. Interested students from all 5 branches of Ekya have opted for the Bee Hotel and will be participating in the activity. These bee hotels will be looked after by the students during the summer vacation. This unique initiative was launched to study solitary bees in Bangalore. Unlike honey bees, solitary bees do not build hives or display any aggressive behaviour. This initiative aims to integrate these essential pollinators in our cities with the support of citizens. Ekya School Byrathi hosted an interactive talk about conserving biodiversity in cities. Students had the opportunity to meet and interact with researchers from the ATREE. They shared their insights from their research in urban landscapes. During the event, Dr Tristha Ramamurthy, Founder of Ekya Schools and Provost, CMR University, said, "At Ekya Schools, we envision integrating and instilling various sustainable development techniques, methods and lifestyle practices in our children. We have introduced the Bee Hotels as we firmly believe in the importance of transcending the limits of the classroom and raising our students awareness of the world they inhabit.  Moreover, the Bee Hotel initiative engages the entire family by facilitating collective learning about sustainability and conservation. We believe that our students must understand the impact of their actions on the environment,  said Ms Smriti Agarwal, Head of School, Ekya School Byrathi. “By implementing this initiative, we are not only creating a secure environment for bees but also educating our students about the significance of sustainability and conservation. Students will be recording their observations on the Bee Hotel App. These observations will help further the research program at Atree and their efforts to integrate these important pollinators into urban life. Students at Ekya are thrilled to own the Bee Hotel structures that have been given to them.

Eligeo Exim Solution has made its way to the New York Fashion Week (NYFW) with its digitally printable fabric. The company conceptualized the idea during the pandemic in 2020 and got registered with the IEC code and all formalities required for export by mid-2021. The idea of manufacturing garments wasn’t getting the desired outcome, so the company decided to get designers’ prints on the fabric and send them back. Two designers, Johanna Ortiz from Colombia and Jaline Resort of New York, responded to the idea. Jaline’s trust issues were resolved by insisting on a credit card payment. After resolving several hassles, the company exported the first order in August of 2022. The company’s niche was speed, and they delivered the goods on short notice. The company decided to concentrate on the US market and particularly New York due to the ease of sending samples and consignments. By December 2022, the company had three more designers on board, and Ms. Jacqueline Lopez of Jaline supported the company by giving good feedback to those who called her for reference check. The company received a response from Ms. Paige Gillagan of Collina Strada on December 15, 2022, asking for swatches. The fabric was to be delivered in New York before the end of January, and the company took up the challenge despite the doubts. The company sourced another vendor as a backup, which worked out, and they delivered the fabric by the end of January. The company was motivated to deliver at any cost, even if it meant losing money. The company’s digitally printable fabric was showcased at the NYFW, which is a significant achievement for a company that is just starting.

“At Embassy Group, Environment Conservation and Sustainability are intrinsic to our company’s culture. We aim to drive positive change by providing infrastructure-based solutions to enhance basic amenities around our communities. With Earth Day around the corner, we are focused on achieving harmony between our business practices and nature, aligning with this year’s theme of “Invest In Our Planet.” We strongly believe that collaboration is the key to revitalizing our environment and transitioning to a green economy for all. Embassy is a proud partner of TAICT’s EcoGram Solid Waste Management project. Initiated in 2016, EcoGram jointly aims to create an ecologically sound replicable model Gram Panchayat to propagate sustainable waste, water and soil management. To complement the solid waste management infrastructural solutions provided in the Bettahalasuru Panchayat, a strong emphasis is also placed on community engagement and awareness initiatives curated through women and children in the communities. We signed an MoU with the Yelahanka and Bettahalasuru Panchayats to manage an Dry & Wet Waste Collection Centre in a dedicated 2-acre land, benefitting 10 villages. Further, we have also provided solar panels for 16 Government Schools, contributing to the green infrastructure of Bangalore. For this year’s 52nd anniversary, our agenda is join hands with other corporates, the Government and NGOs to create a culture of collaboration and corporate sustainability to deepen our collective efforts towards saving our planet. As champions of sustainable practices, we are poised at continuing our endeavours to reduce environmental degradation and embrace greener communities.”