TCS and The Cumberland Join Forces to Drive Core Banking Innovation
Rutuparna Rath business, news, technology
TCS and The Cumberland Join Forces to Drive Core Banking Innovation

New Delhi, March 21, 2025: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions has partnered with The Cumberland Building Society in the UK to modernize its core banking ecosystem. Through this collaboration, TCS will deploy its state-of-the-art digital banking solution, TCS BaNCSTM for Core Banking, TCS Digital Home Lending Solution, and Quartz for Compliance, to drive innovation and operational efficiency.

Established in 1850, the Cumberland is among the UK’s top 10 Building Societies. The Cumberland manages assets worth £3.2 billion, with a mortgage lending portfolio of £2.6 billion across 31 branches in Cumbria, Northumberland, Lancashire, and southwest Scotland. The partnership with TCS will help Cumberland enhance its customer experience and future-proof its banking infrastructure. TCS will provide an integrated core banking ecosystem featuring TCS COIN™ (Co-Innovation Network™) and the TCS BaNCS Marketplace, enabling society to adopt cutting-edge third-party solutions. The Cumberland’s customers will benefit from greater flexibility in managing their finances, whether online, by phone, or in-branch.

Des Moore, Chief Executive at The Cumberland, said, “This partnership is about more than technology—it’s about aligning with a company that shares our values and commitment to customers, colleagues, and communities. For 175 years, our customers have been at the heart of everything we do. Ultimately, this transformation ensures we remain a strong and sustainable Society for the next 175 years. Our colleagues are excited to be working with TCS to provide a resilient modern banking solution for the benefit of our customers.”

By integrating TCS solutions and strategic third-party technologies, TCS will provide The Cumberland with a resilient and future-ready ecosystem that leverages Open Banking and Data Standards for fraud mitigation, customer communication management, and credit decisions.

Amit Kapur, Head of UK & Ireland, TCS said, “We are delighted to partner with The Cumberland on its ambitious transformation journey. Our proven solutions will help create a seamless, flexible digital banking experience and our partnership will reinforce operational resilience and efficiency to support The Cumberland’s continued success. This partnership reflects our strengthening presence in the building societies sector, which is built on our strong track record of providing transformative solutions to credit unions and other financial services organizations across the UK.”

TCS supports five of the top 10 building societies in the UK, with 20 British financial institutions now leveraging TCS BaNCSTM. This solution has enabled these institutions to modernize legacy systems, improve member experience, and drive operational agility. By leveraging cloud-native, API-driven, and AI-powered banking solutions, TCS is helping UK building societies transition to a more resilient and future-ready banking model while ensuring compliance with evolving regulatory standards.

TCS set up operations in the UK 50 years ago and now works with 200 of the region’s best-known and most-loved businesses, including around half of the FTSE100. With its deep industry expertise and an employee strength of 24,000 people in the UK and Ireland, TCS holds a leadership position in software and IT services in the market. It has also been ranked the number one IT service provider for customer satisfaction in an independent survey of CIOs of the largest IT spending organizations in the UK.

Zynova Shalby Hospital Gets NABH Accreditation
Bhumika Lenka health
Zynova Shalby Hospital Gets NABH Accreditation

Mumbai, March 2025 : Zynova Shalby Hospital, a leading multi-specialty healthcare institution in Mumbai, proudly announces its achievement of accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH). This prestigious recognition reflects the hospital’s unwavering dedication to delivering safe, high-quality, and patient-centric healthcare services.

Widely regarded as the gold standard in healthcare quality in India, NABH accreditation is granted only after a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation of a hospital’s infrastructure, patient care protocols, clinical standards, and operational processes. By meeting these stringent benchmarks, Zynova Shalby Hospital has joined the ranks of the country’s most trusted and respected healthcare institutions, further cementing its reputation for excellence.

Reny Varghese, Chief Operating Officer at Zynova Shalby Hospital, expressed immense pride in this accomplishment, stating, “We are extremely proud to be NABH accredited. This recognition reflects the relentless efforts of our dedicated team of doctors, nurses, paramedics, and support staff, who go above and beyond to uphold excellence in every aspect of patient care. It is a moment of pride and motivation to continue raising the bar in healthcare delivery.”

Zynova Shalby Multi-Speciality Hospital is a 100-bed facility located in Ghatkopar, Mumbai. Established in 2007 as Zynova Heartcare Hospitals, it partnered with the Shalby Group in 2021, a renowned healthcare chain with 10 hospitals based in Ahmedabad. The hospital offers a wide range of diagnostic and treatment services across specialties such as Cardiology, Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement, Spine Care, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Oncology and Onco-Surgery, Laparoscopic Surgeries, Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeries, Arthroscopic Surgeries, and Trauma Care. In addition to General Medicine, General Surgery, and Day Care Surgeries, the hospital is equipped with advanced diagnostic facilities, including Dialysis, CT Scans, MRI, Mammography, 2D Echo, Ultrasonography, Digital X-Ray, EMG, and Holter Monitoring Services.

With this NABH accreditation, Zynova Shalby Hospital reinforces its mission to deliver safe, ethical, and quality-driven healthcare to the community, continuing its journey toward clinical excellence and compassionate service.

EY Techathon 5.0: IIT Kharagpur’s AI Excellence Welcomes a New Era of Digital Bharat
Rutuparna Rath education, news
EY Techathon 5.0: IIT Kharagpur’s AI Excellence Welcomes a New Era of Digital Bharat

New Delhi, 21 March 2025: EY, the leading professional services organization, announced the winners of ‘Techathon 5.0: Harnessing AI to transform Bharat’. This year’s EY Techathon 5.0 showcased students developing Generative AI (GenAI) based solutions to address real-world challenges in sectors such as education, healthcare, BPM/BPO, financial inclusion, and citizen services, thereby contributing to Bharat’s progress. With over 1.5 lakh+ individuals registering, the competition attracted more than 6,500 team submissions from colleges across the country.

Team CaseWizz (Siddharth Asthana, Sanyam Jhuria, and Ayush Sikarwal) from IIT Kharagpur bagged the winning trophy of EY Techathon 5.0 for showcasing their creatively designed AI-powered financial assistant names V.A.R.U.N (Voice Assistant for Rural Users’ Needs). Throughout the challenge, they consistently demonstrated innovative product design keeping customer at the centre, new age architecture drive approach, delivering tangible benefits to end users.

Team SE827 (Dastageer Siddiqui and Arun Bhattachrya) from Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar secured the runner-up position for their exemplary work in developing Polyphen; an AI-powered mobile health platform for visiting physicians, that will enable efficient rural healthcare with online/offline patient registration, QR-based history access, and AI-driven chronic disease prediction.

The People’s Choice Award was clinched by team Catalyst (Tejaswini Atluri, Pabitha Kommineni, Rishik KNR, and Akshay Pulla) from Vallurupalli Nageswara Rao Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering & Technology, Telangana. The team garnered maximum number of votes from individuals and tech enthusiasts nationwide, who casted their votes for their most preferred entries in the competition.

Mahesh Makhija, Partner and Technology Consulting Leader, EY India, said, “As emerging technologies like GenAI reshape businesses, our focus remains on nurturing talent that can solve real-world challenges and propel India’s leadership on the global stage. EY Techathon exemplifies our commitment by fostering the next-generation leaders who can drive meaningful innovation. This year’s participants demonstrated not only a strong grasp of emerging technologies like GenAI but also the ability to apply them to solve real-world industry challenges. The ingenuity and problem-solving mindset of India’s tech professionals reinforce our belief in the country’s potential to shape the future of technology.”

Techathon is a key component of EY Technology Consulting’s undergraduate outreach program, aimed at nurturing and recruiting talented young professionals to join over 15,000 technologists and data scientists at EY in India.

Raghavendra Rengaswamy, Consulting Leader, EY Global Delivery Services (GDS) added, “EY Techathon 5.0 has been a remarkable showcase of talent, innovation, and problem-solving excellence. I congratulate the winners as well as the participants of the event. The creativity and depth of AI-driven solutions presented by them have been truly inspiring, demonstrating the potential to transform Bharat at scale. At EY GDS, we are committed to harnessing technology for meaningful impact, and this event reaffirms our dedication to driving AI-led innovation that shapes a smarter, more sustainable future. The passion and ingenuity displayed here today are a testament to the limitless possibilities when technology and purpose come together.”

The winners were announced at the Grand Finale held in Bengaluru, where an independent jury evaluated the solutions presented by the shortlisted finalists. The jury comprised Abhijit Khasnis, VP Technology, HealthifyMe; A. Prashanth, Executive Director, Bosch Mobility Platform & Solutions, India; Debashis Singh, Chief Information Officer, Persistent Systems; Dr. Harsha Rajaram, CEO, Aster Digital Health, India; Praveen Shrikhande, Chief Digital and Information Officer, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd.; Rakesh Bhardwaj, Global CIO, Lupin; Mohua Sengupta, GCC Leader; Alok Gupta, Chief Solutions and Product Officer, EkStep; Shashidhar Lingaraj, Executive Director and Head, Arcolab; Sudeep Dey, Chief Information Officer, Healthcare Global Enterprises Limited; Sajid Ahmed, Technology Leader; along with Mahesh Makhija, Partner and Technology Consulting Leader, EY India and Raghavendra Rengaswamy, Consulting Leader, EY GDS.

The winning team received a cash prize of INR 3,00,000 while the runner-up team was awarded INR 2,00,000. The winners will also receive mentorship by EY Leadership to develop strategic solutions for global enterprises.

Odisha Revenue Officers’ Association Warns of Agitation, Sets Deadline for Govt
Rabindra Sahu news
Odisha Revenue Officers’ Association Warns of Agitation, Sets Deadline for Govt

Bhubaneswar: Revenue officers working at the district level in Odisha are facing undue delays in the reorganization of their cadre, leading to growing dissatisfaction among them. The committee, chaired by the Central Revenue Commissioner, has allegedly ignored their demands, causing delays in the restructuring process and promotions. Frustrated with this inaction, the Odisha Revenue Officers’ Association has warned of taking to the streets in protest against the state government.

In a meeting held at the Employee Bhavan in Bhubaneswar, the state executive committee of the association made this decision. The state president, Tripati Balaji Sahu, and general secretary, Naresh Chandra Mohapatra, stated that despite multiple resolutions, the government has taken no steps to address their concerns.

Key Issues Discussed in the Meeting:

1. Cadre Formation & Delayed Promotions:

In 2024, district-level revenue officers were granted an independent cadre.

Despite this, no steps have been taken to restructure their positions or formulate new service rules.

Due to these delays, many revenue officers at the district level are deprived of financial benefits and promotions.

2. Ignored Resolutions & Lack of Action:

The General Administration and Public Grievance Department had issued resolutions to address cadre reorganization and service regulations, but no action has been taken.

The Revenue Department’s reorganization committee has allegedly ignored these directives.

Officers have been forced to write to other departments, asking whether their cadre restructuring will proceed or not.

3. Stagnation & Forced Retirement Without Promotion:

Due to the prolonged delay, many revenue officers are retiring without receiving any promotions.

Several government resolutions (No. 698/06.01.2024, No. 708/06.01.2024, and No. 8898/15.03.2024) had clearly stated that cadre restructuring should take place. However, these have been ignored, leading to frustration among revenue officers.

The association has accused the government of deliberately delaying the process, forcing revenue officers to work under stagnant conditions with no scope for career advancement. If immediate steps are not taken, they have warned of launching a statewide protest against the government’s inaction.

Government Imposes Ban on Alcohol and Tobacco Ads in IPL
Rabindra Sahu news
Government Imposes Ban on Alcohol and Tobacco Ads in IPL

New Delhi: The Central Health Ministry has issued a directive prohibiting the advertisement of alcohol and tobacco during the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is organized under the supervision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

In a letter addressed to IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal, Atul Goel, the Director General of Health Services (DGHS), emphasized that Indian cricketers serve as role models for the youth. Therefore, it is inappropriate for them to be directly or indirectly associated with alcohol and tobacco promotions. The directive mandates a ban on such advertisements both inside stadiums and during live television broadcasts of IPL matches. The IPL authorities are required to enforce these restrictions strictly.

Concerns and Justification for the Ban

IPL is one of the most-watched sporting events in India, with millions of viewers tuning in to television broadcasts.

The tournament has become a powerful platform for companies to advertise their products, including alcohol and tobacco brands.

The consumption of alcohol and tobacco is linked to severe health issues such as heart diseases, lung disorders, cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Statistics indicate that these products contribute to 1.4 million deaths annually in India.

Government’s Social and Moral Responsibility

Atul Goel stated that banning alcohol and tobacco advertisements in a highly popular tournament like IPL is part of the government’s social and ethical responsibility. Additionally, he emphasized that cricketers have a moral duty to encourage the public to adopt a healthy lifestyle instead of promoting harmful products.

Tapan Kumar Khuntia Takes Charge as Additional District Magistrate of Nabarangpur
Rabindra Sahu news
Tapan Kumar Khuntia Takes Charge as Additional District Magistrate of Nabarangpur

Nabarangpur: Tapan Kumar Khuntia has officially assumed charge as the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of Nabarangpur. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Independent Land Acquisition Officer in Sambalpur.

After taking charge, Mr. Khuntia sought the cooperation of all officials and employees of the district administration. He also emphasized the effective implementation of various developmental schemes of the government, ensuring their benefits reach the common people.

On this occasion, officials and employees of the Nabarangpur District Collector’s office warmly welcomed Mr. Khuntia by presenting him with flower bouquets.

Key Officials Present at the Welcome Ceremony

Several senior officials and staff members attended the welcome event, including:

Deputy Collectors: P. Manasmita, Geetanjali Behera, Chainu Gandh, Subrata Behera

Assistant Collectors: Ashutosh Patra, Binayak Khadanga, Shiba Prasad Padhi, Ashwin Kumar Majhi, Hemanu Saura

District Social Welfare Officer: Draupadi Kahar

Section Officers: Tripati Balaji Sahu, Ramachandra Raghu Mandal, Satyanarayan Sahu

Other Officials and Staff Members: Bhalampha Bhatra, Jagannath Mohapatra, Shiba Keshav Brahma, Meera Panda, Neelkanth Raju, Yasir Ali, Mobina Sultana, Jochhana Chaudhuri, Bijay Sahu, Suresh Pattnayak, Tripti Pattnayak, Ajay Nayak, Saurabh Das, Gagan Bishoi, Priyanka Patra, P. Padma, Pranati Majhi, Kavita Brahma, Sanyukta Sahu, Harsha Jain, Avinash Patra, and many others.

The presence of such a large number of district officials reflects the importance of the occasion and the collective commitment to the administration’s goals.

“Gupteswar Peetha Development to Drive Economic Growth,” Say Experts
Rabindra Sahu news
“Gupteswar Peetha Development to Drive Economic Growth,” Say Experts

Jeypore: The Koraput district administration is focusing on strengthening tourism development. Among the various tourist destinations in the district, Gupteswar Peetha is receiving special attention. This Shaivite pilgrimage site, located inside a cave in the dense forest, attracts devotees and tourists from across India and abroad.

To improve connectivity and enhance visitor experience, the Jeypore Integrated Tribal Development Agency has constructed an Omkar Park at Siribeda. Built on approximately three acres, the park reflects tribal culture and offers a beautiful landscape amidst the forest. Visitors to Gupteswar Peetha often stop by Siribeda Park to explore and enjoy its attractions.

The state government has invested several crores of rupees in the development of Baba Gupteswar Peetha, located in Ramagiri Panchayat of Boipariguda block, Koraput. Since 2023, the Jeypore Works Department has been undertaking development projects worth ₹4.47 crore, including road expansion and beautification of the temple premises, along with the construction of a grand entrance gate.

Ongoing Development Projects

The following projects are in full swing:

Visitor Information Center

Health Center

Changing Rooms

Shops & Pujari Houses

Public Toilets

Beautification of Ghats

Currently, 60-70% of the construction work is complete, according to officials from the Jeypore Works Department.

Omkar Park: A Unique Experience for Tourists

To showcase tribal heritage, the administration has planned 12 Omkar Parks. Families and tourists of all age groups visiting Gupteswar can enjoy a well-maintained park, which features:

Statues of wild animals

A water park for children

A tribal museum showcasing traditional attire, lifestyle, and culture

Ahead of Maha Shivratri, the administration officially opened Omkar Park to the public, and it has already started attracting tourists.

Future Prospects: Positioning Gupteswar as an International Tourist Destination

Jeypore P.A.I.T.D.A. Officer Tapan Kumar Nayak stated that with proper accommodation facilities like resorts for overnight stays in the serene jungle environment, Gupteswar Peetha can gain recognition as a significant international tourist destination.

In the coming years, the expected increase in tourists and devotees will likely contribute significantly to the economic growth of the local population. Discussions are ongoing in various forums regarding further administrative support for tourism development in the area.

Maa Nageshwar Jungle Protection Committee Holds Press Conference on Forest Conservation
Rabindra Sahu news
Maa Nageshwar Jungle Protection Committee Holds Press Conference on Forest Conservation

Koraput: The Maa Nageshwar Jungle Protection Committee and Koraputia Jan Suraksha Sangha have demanded the cancellation of the public hearing on Balda mining, which took place on the 6th of this month. During a press conference held in Koraput, they alleged that the necessary procedures for conducting the public hearing were not properly followed. They also claimed that Kalinga Alumina manipulated the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, and officials failed to respond to public concerns during the hearing.

Vijay Kumar Muduli, speaking at the press conference, stated that due to these issues, local residents boycotted the public hearing, forcing the officials to leave the venue without conducting the meeting.

Community Resistance Against Mining

Residents from five affected gram panchayats completely boycotted the hearing, refuting claims that the meeting was conducted peacefully and that the public had expressed their opinions. They strongly condemned such false statements and made it clear that they will not allow mining activities in the area.

Key Figures Present at the Press Conference

Several prominent leaders and activists attended the press conference, including:

Babita Dora – Secretary, Maa Nageshwar Jungle Protection Committee

Dasi Nandi Bali – President, Koraputia Jan Suraksha Sangha

Kahnu Charan Kandhapan – President, Kodigamali Suraksha Manch

Dibakar Sahu

Lasu Hantal

Ajay Muduli

Trilochan Muduli

Formal Protest Against the Public Hearing

Before this press conference, the protesting groups had already submitted a memorandum to the District Collector demanding the immediate cancellation of the public hearing on Balda mining.

Grand Annual Celebration Held at Batibeda Ashram School
Rabindra Sahu news
Grand Annual Celebration Held at Batibeda Ashram School

Nabarangpur The annual festival was celebrated at Batibeda Ashram School in Umarkote Block. The event was graced by chief guest Shri Love Dutta, the representative of Honorable MLA of Jharigaon, Shri Narsingh Bhatara. Other notable attendees included District Welfare Officer Shri Palaka Rabindra, School President Shri Pramosish Nag (Head Teacher of Batibeda), and Key Speaker Shri Palaka Rabindra (District Welfare Officer, Nabarangpur).

Distinguished Guests at the Event

The event was also attended by:

Shri Bidhu Bhushan Behera (Welfare Extension Officer, Umarkote)

Shri Ajit Chandra Biswas

Shri Tumanath Nayak (Retired Head Teacher)

Shri Kumar Pujari (President)

Shri Yudhishthir Pandey

Shri Sunil Kumar Padhi (Head Teacher, Kesharibeda)

Shri Bishwajit Maharana (Head Teacher, Jambaguda)

Shri Anil Suna (Rug Umarkote)

Shri Durusaya Nayak (Social Worker)

Shri Shiv Charan Panika

Smt. Joli Mahapatra (Headmistress, Sunabeda)

Smt. Saraswati Behera (Headmistress, Kharki)

Smt. Mamita Swain (Headmistress, Dhoodra)

Smt. Jayanti Pandey

Ceremonial Welcome and Activities

The students welcomed the guests with slogans and flowers, creating an enthusiastic atmosphere. The event began with the garlanding of Lord Jagannath’s photo and lighting of the ceremonial lamp.

Speeches and Inspirational Messages

During the program, the chief guest and other dignitaries delivered inspiring speeches, emphasizing the importance of education in shaping students’ futures. They shared valuable insights and examples to encourage students.

Felicitation and Recognition

Retired Head Teachers Shri Tumanath Nayak and Shri Mohendra Prasad Mali were honored with certificates, flower bouquets, and gifts.

Shri Ashish Kumar Nayak was recognized as the Best Assistant Teacher.

Shri Doiman Gand was awarded as the Best Baya (Senior Teacher).

The event was a grand success, with students, teachers, and guests participating enthusiastically in the celebrations.

Congress Stages Protest Against Rising Crimes Against Women
Rabindra Sahu news
Congress Stages Protest Against Rising Crimes Against Women

Koraput: The Koraput District Congress Committee staged a protest demonstration on Monday against the increase in crimes against women in Odisha after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took power in the state. The protestors also submitted a memorandum addressed to the Governor.

The protest rally was led by Senior Congress Leader of Mahila Congress, Minakshi Bahinipati, and District Congress President, Shashi Bhushan Patra. Hundreds of Congress leaders and workers from various parts of the district joined the march from Mausima Temple to the District Collector’s office.

Protest Meeting and Accusations Against the Government

A protest meeting was held in front of the District Collector’s office, presided over by District President Shri Patra. Protestors chanted slogans demanding women’s safety and development and accused the BJP government of failing to control crimes against women during its eight-month rule.

According to Congress, in the past eight months, around 1,600 women and minor girls have been subjected to violence and exploitation. The party also alleged that tribal and Dalit women have become particularly vulnerable under the BJP-led government.

Former MP Jairam Pangi, who participated in the protest, criticized the BJP government, stating that while the party talks about good governance, the reality is misgovernance, leaving women in unsafe conditions. He further pointed out that in just eight months, there have been 54 cases of gang rape and two cases of minor schoolgirls becoming mothers, highlighting the government’s failure in maintaining law and order.

Key Leaders Present at the Protest

The protest meeting was conducted by Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Organization’s State General Secretary, Rupak Turuk, and Senior Congress Leader, Manoj Acharya. Other notable attendees included:

Babulal Beniya (Koraput MP Representative)

Namita Majhi (Block President)

Narendra Mohanty (Chairman, Jeypore Municipality)

Sukanta Pattnaik

Bhagaban Bahinipati

Ramesh Khara

Memorandum Submitted to the Governor

After the protest, a memorandum addressed to the Governor was submitted to the District Collector. The Additional District Collector, Alomani Sethi, accepted the petition on behalf of the Governor.