5th ASLI Aging Fest 2024: Advancing Senior Care and Workforce Development

5th ASLI Aging Fest 2024: Advancing Senior Care and Workforce Development

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 15, 2024

The 5th ASLI Aging Fest 2024, hosted at Sheraton Grand in Bangalore, was a landmark event that brought together some of the most influential voices in senior care. Organized by the Association of Senior Living India (ASLI) in collaboration with NITI Aayog, the event focused on transforming senior care into a structured and rewarding career path.

Panel Highlights

A thought-provoking panel discussion featured eminent leaders, including:

  • Dr. Shubnum Singh (Board Member, Healthcare Sector Skills Council, CII)

  • Mansur Dalal (Chairman, CommonAge)

  • Dr. Sanju Thomas Abraham (MD, TN Apex Skill Development Center)

  • Nirupama Vellore Ganapathy (MD, Ad Astra)

The discussion was moderated by Dr. Karthik Narayan R, Board Member, ASLI and Managing Director, Athulya Senior Care.

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Key Takeaways

  1. Beyond Emotional Rewards: Senior care is evolving into a career with structured growth, professional opportunities, and personal fulfillment, making it an attractive option for India’s youth.

  2. Global Perspectives: The event shed light on international opportunities, cross-border learning, and the potential for Indian professionals to make a global impact.

  3. Government Collaboration: Public-private partnerships, funding initiatives, and government support are reshaping the senior care landscape, driving accessibility and innovation.

  4. Innovations in Training: Emerging tools like VR, simulation labs, and digital platforms are revolutionizing healthcare training, making education more inclusive and impactful.

  5. Business Integration: Practical insights were shared on balancing business growth with recruitment and retention challenges, ensuring a sustainable model for operators and service providers.

A Transformative Vision

The overarching message from the event was clear: senior care isn’t just about providing care. It’s about building meaningful careers, enriched by cutting-edge technology, bolstered by government initiatives, and driven by global opportunities.

Dr. Karthik Narayan R emphasized the importance of creating spaces where care is both compassionate and professional, offering immense satisfaction to those in the field. “We’re not just building a team; we’re shaping the future of senior care in India,” he shared.

With a growing demand for senior care services, platforms like the ASLI Aging Fest 2024 are vital in creating awareness and fostering innovation in the industry.


Niraamaya Retreats Samroha: A Cooling Wellness Sanctuary by Athirappilly Falls

Niraamaya Retreats Samroha: A Cooling Wellness Sanctuary by Athirappilly Falls

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 24, 2025

Located amidst lush greenery and just steps from Kerala’s iconic waterfalls, Niraamaya Retreats Samroha, Athirappilly is a rainforest wellness hideaway that naturally embodies the essence of cooling rejuvenation. The constant mist of the nearby Athirappilly waterfalls, shaded forest canopies, and elevated riverside air create a cool microclimate that enhances every wellness experience.

Signature Cooling Therapies at Samroha Include:

  • Takradhara by the Falls - A tranquil Ayurvedic treatment using a continuous stream of cool medicated buttermilk over the forehead, performed to the soothing soundtrack of cascading water, ideal for heat-induced stress and anxiety.

  • Aloe & Cucumber Body Wraps - Deeply hydrating and anti-inflammatory, these wraps soothe sun-exposed skin and leave guests feeling refreshed and rebalanced.

  • Herbal Oil Couple Massages - Featuring cooling oils with ingredients like vetiver and mint, this therapy calms muscular tension while offering a shared moment of deep relaxation.

  • Hydrotherapy Rituals & Forest Meditation - Morning walks through shaded rainforest paths lead to riverside meditation spots, offering grounding and natural detoxification through movement and breath.

  • Open-Air Yoga & Cooling Pranayama  - Held in pavilions that overlook the misty valley, these sessions incorporate gentle asanas and breathing techniques to lower body temperature and calm the Pitta dosha.

Across Niraamaya Retreats: A Summer-Focused Wellness Ethos

All Niraamaya locations are embracing the season with thoughtful cooling practices:

  • Floral hydrotherapy baths using rose, jasmine, and sandalwood

  • Herbal teas and infused waters with vetiver, fennel, and tulsi

  • Gourmet wellness dining rich in seasonal, cooling ingredients

  • Tailored summer wellness programs including Ayurveda, yoga, and nutrition

Crafting the Ultimate Summer Refresh

What makes a wellness retreat truly memorable in the summer is its ability to merge natural surroundings, healing traditions, and personalized care. At Niraamaya Retreats Samroha, Athirappilly, this philosophy comes alive in every detail, from the therapies to the setting itself.

As guests seek new ways to thrive in the heat, cooling therapies offer more than relief, they offer renewal. Resorts that embrace this philosophy are not only in tune with the seasons but are leading the way in modern, sustainable wellness.


A Valley Reborn: Dharana at Shillim Blends Wellness with Conservation

A Valley Reborn: Dharana at Shillim Blends Wellness with Conservation

By Nishang Narayan

Published on April 21, 2025

Before Dharana at Shillim became a sanctuary for holistic wellness, it was simply a valley in the Sahyadri ranges—rich in biodiversity but battling deforestation and degradation. Touched by its beauty and the environmental damage unfolding before their eyes, brothers William and Denzil de Souza set out on a mission to preserve this untouched corner of the Western Ghats.

What followed was a remarkable act of guardianship: the acquisition of 2,500 acres of land—not for development, but for protection. Over the next 15 years, the family committed themselves to restoring Shillim’s natural ecosystem. Through afforestation, water conservation, and careful land stewardship, the valley was allowed to heal. Today, it is home to over one million trees and a thriving native habitat.

In 2013, this journey evolved into something even more profound with the launch of Dharana at Shillim by Gavin de Souza, second son of the late William de Souza. Spread across 320 acres within the protected 2,500-acre valley, Dharana is more than just a retreat—it’s a living, breathing model of mindful luxury that blends wellness, sustainability, and environmental responsibility.

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Not a single tree was felled in its construction. Instead, Dharana’s architecture was shaped by the contours of the land, using earthen and bamboo materials. Rooted in Ayurveda and functional medicine, the retreat’s wellness approach honours both ancient traditions and modern science.

At the heart of Dharana are six key sustainability pillars:

  • Nature-Integrated Design: Built to exist in harmony with the landscape, every structure deepens the connection between guest and nature.

  • Earth-to-Table Nutrition: Food is sourced from on-site organic farms using regenerative agriculture.

  • Zero-Waste Living: From composting to plastic-free packaging, Dharana leads by example in waste reduction.

  • Forest Conservation: Thousands of native species have been planted to rebuild biodiversity, with a goal to reforest 10% of scrubland by 2030.

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  • Clean Energy: Solar panels meet 20% of Dharana’s energy needs, reducing diesel consumption by 90,000 litres annually.

  • Community Empowerment: Training local women in sustainable practices, Dharana aims to support over 5,000 families by 2030.

This Earth Day, Dharana at Shillim stands as a reminder that true luxury lies in living with purpose, in harmony with the earth. Here, every guest is invited not just to unwind—but to reconnect, rejuvenate, and play a part in a greater story of healing and hope.


The Anam Mui Ne Introduces Himalayan Singing Bowl Therapy to Elevate Wellness

The Anam Mui Ne Introduces Himalayan Singing Bowl Therapy to Elevate Wellness

By Nishang Narayan

Published on April 16, 2025

The Anam Mui Ne, a luxurious Indochine-era inspired resort nestled in Vietnam’s beach town of Mui Ne, has added Himalayan singing bowl therapy to its growing wellness menu, offering guests a chance to rejuvenate through ancient healing sounds.

Renowned for their meditative and therapeutic properties, Himalayan singing bowls are used in treatments that involve gently circling a mallet around the rim of the bowl to create deep, resonant sounds. These vibrations are said to travel through the body, promoting both physical and emotional healing.

The spa’s new offerings include five specialized treatments—“Relaxing”, “Balancing”, “Detoxifying”, “Healing Power”, and “Healing Sound Bath”—ranging from 45 to 60 minutes. Each treatment is curated to target different health concerns, from stress relief and better sleep to energy balancing and detoxification.

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“Relaxing” therapy uses seven singing bowls to ease tension and calm the nervous system. “Balancing” focuses on harmonizing the body’s chakras and brain hemispheres. “Detoxifying” targets key organs like the liver and kidneys, while “Healing Power” uses warm water and bowl vibrations to stimulate blood circulation and refresh the skin. “Healing Sound Bath” aims to relieve headaches and muscle tension, while creating a peaceful mental state.

Guests can also take part in complimentary hour-long group sound therapy sessions for up to five people.

The Anam Spa features five treatment rooms—three of which are VIP couple’s rooms with soaking tubs—two single rooms, steam rooms, saunas, Jacuzzis, and a full-service beauty salon, offering a comprehensive wellness experience.

For more information or bookings, visit www.theanam.com, email info.mn@theanam.com, or call +(84) 252 628 4868.

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