Beyond the Pink Ribbon: Hyderabad’s Dialogue on Hope, Health, and Awareness

Beyond the Pink Ribbon: Hyderabad’s Dialogue on Hope, Health, and Awareness

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 28, 2025

Wellness Bzaar, in association with The Quorum at Sattva Knowledge City, brought together a powerful evening that redefined awareness through its event, “Busting Myths, Saving Lives.” The initiative, held as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, turned uncertainty into empowerment as leading voices from the medical, wellness, and social spaces shared knowledge that could truly save lives.

Conceptualized by founders Puja Khan, Raghu Vamshi Reddy, and Kashif Ali Khan, Wellness Bzaar has been at the forefront of creating spaces that connect wellbeing, science, and community. Their latest session, supported by Mahavir Motors, Sattva, and IDFC Bank, showcased the platform’s commitment to transforming awareness into meaningful action. The event also featured the support of Cantel Medical Diagnostics, a pioneer in India’s first microRNA-based blood test for breast cancer screening.

Padma Shri awardee Dr. P. Raghu Ram, Founding Director of the KIMS-USHALAKSHMI Centre for Breast Diseases, led the discussion by clearing long-held misconceptions about breast cancer in India. He explained that, unlike in Western nations where most cases occur after 50, Indian women are commonly diagnosed between 40 and 60, with younger cases also being seen. He stressed that limited awareness and lack of large-scale screening often lead to late detection.

Reassuringly, he reminded the audience that nine out of ten breast lumps are not cancerous and highlighted the importance of the Triple Assessment process in evaluation. He added that only a small percentage, around 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are inherited, encouraging women to focus on awareness instead of fear. Dr. Raghu Ram also spoke about the promise of emerging technologies like liquid biopsy, which may further improve early detection in the future.

Adding another layer to the discussion, Dr. Pratibha Narayan, an experienced obstetrician and aesthetic reconstructive gynecologist, discussed the often-overlooked connection between lifestyle, hormones, and overall wellbeing. She emphasized that stress management, balanced diet, and regular physical activity are simple yet powerful preventive measures.

Dr. Pratibha spoke with empathy, noting that the word “cancer” still creates fear, especially when it relates to intimate health. “Conversations about breast health should begin with empathy, not fear,” she said, urging families to make these discussions normal and physicians to include breast check-ups as part of routine care. She encouraged a mindset shift, from cancer detection to wellness creation, so that health becomes an ongoing, positive journey.

Fitness icon and motivational speaker Dinaz Vervatwala brought energy to the evening as moderator, connecting the emotional and medical sides of the dialogue. Her engaging style made the session both informative and inspiring.

The event also saw the presence of Smt. Renuka Chowdhury, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), who served as Chief Guest and Fireside Moderator. Known for her empathy and conviction, she encouraged women over 40 to prioritize annual screening mammograms, assuring that fears about radiation or discomfort are misplaced. She also applauded Dr. Raghu Ram for his long-standing dedication to breast cancer advocacy and education through his charitable initiatives.

The open Q&A session that followed created space for honest conversations. Participants shared experiences and cleared doubts, turning complex medical discussions into relatable learnings. Many attendees left with a renewed sense of confidence and awareness, marking a shift from anxiety to empowerment.

The evening concluded on a hopeful note, positioning Hyderabad as a city where wellness conversations go beyond pink ribbons, towards genuine awareness, early detection, and a shared commitment to saving lives.


Bikanervala to Open New Outlet at SPS Realty's Helios in Zirakpur

Bikanervala to Open New Outlet at SPS Realty's Helios in Zirakpur

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 3, 2026

SPS Realty has announced that Bikanervala, one of India's most recognised food and sweets brands, will open a new outlet at its flagship commercial development, Helios, located on VIP Road in Zirakpur. The addition is set to strengthen the project's retail and food & beverage ecosystem while enhancing its appeal as a lifestyle destination.

The upcoming outlet will offer Bikanervala's wide range of traditional Indian sweets, snacks, and dining options, catering to residents, businesses, and visitors from Zirakpur and nearby areas. The brand's presence is expected to serve as a key food and beverage anchor within the commercial development.

Commenting on the association, Rohit Singla, Director, SPS Realty, said, "The addition of Bikanervala at Helios reflects our vision of creating a well-rounded commercial destination that brings together premium retail, food, and lifestyle experiences. We aim to curate a diverse ecosystem where businesses can thrive while offering visitors a complete experience under one roof."

Helios has been designed as SPS Realty's flagship commercial project, featuring contemporary architecture, premium commercial spaces, and a strategic location on VIP Road. The development comprises 177 premium retail and showroom spaces, offering high-visibility opportunities for established brands, entrepreneurs, and businesses.

The arrival of Bikanervala is expected to further strengthen Helios' growing tenant mix while enhancing customer engagement by adding a well-established food and beverage destination. With increasing urbanisation and rising demand for organised retail spaces in the region, the project is positioned to emerge as a preferred commercial hub in Zirakpur.

Through this partnership, SPS Realty continues its focus on developing commercial destinations that combine retail, dining, and lifestyle experiences while creating new opportunities for businesses and consumers alike.


McDonald's India – North and East Crosses 200 McCafé Outlets, Partners with Tara Sutaria

McDonald's India – North and East Crosses 200 McCafé Outlets, Partners with Tara Sutaria

By Hariharan U

Published on August 3, 2026

McDonald's India – North and East has announced the expansion of its McCafé network to 200 outlets across North and East India, marking a significant milestone in the brand's coffee business. The expansion reflects the company's continued investment in making premium-quality coffee more accessible as India's café culture continues to evolve.

To commemorate the milestone, McDonald's India – North and East has partnered with Tara Sutaria as the face of McCafé, bringing its "Good Vibes Start with McCafe" platform to life through a new brand campaign celebrating everyday coffee moments and connections.

As part of the celebration, McCafé has also introduced a new Summer Range featuring Strawberry Matcha, Affogato, Salted Caramel Latte, Chai Latte, and Passion Fruit Cooler, expanding its beverage portfolio with refreshing and indulgent options designed for evolving consumer preferences.

Commenting on the milestone, Anant Agarwal, Vice-Chairperson, CPRL (McDonald's India – North and East), said, "At McCafé, our ambition is to build one of India's most loved and trusted coffee brands by making great coffee accessible to more consumers without compromising on quality or value. The milestone of 200 McCafé outlets reflects our continued investment in expanding our footprint and strengthening our beverage portfolio. As coffee culture continues to evolve in India, our refreshed 'Good Vibes Start with McCafe' platform, along with our collaboration with Tara Sutaria as the face of McCafé, reinforces our commitment to connecting with young consumers and making McCafé their preferred choice for everyday coffee occasions."

Sharing her thoughts on the association, Tara Sutaria said, "Coffee has always been an important part of my everyday routine, whether it's the first cup that starts my day, a mid-day pick-me-up or a quiet moment to unwind. Over the years, McCafé has become one of my go-to choices, whether I'm in India or travelling abroad, because I know I can always count on a great cup of coffee. McCafé's Cappuccino is one of my personal favourites whenever I'm looking for something indulgent. I'm delighted to be associated with a brand that shares my love for great coffee and celebrates the everyday rituals that make each cup special."

The new summer beverage range is now available across McCafé outlets in North and East India. Customers can also order through dine-in, Self-Ordering Kiosks (SOK), takeaway, drive-thru, delivery platforms, and the McDonald's App.

The campaign has been conceptualised by BBDO India, part of Omnicom Advertising India.


Point Break Challenge Opens in Mahabalipuram as India's Top Surfers Compete in National Surf Series

Point Break Challenge Opens in Mahabalipuram as India's Top Surfers Compete in National Surf Series

By Hariharan U

Published on August 2, 2026

The Point Break Challenge got underway in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, marking Stop 3 of the Surfing Federation of India (SFI) National Surf Series, India's premier national surfing championship circuit. The opening day witnessed nearly 80 surfers from seven to eight coastal states competing across multiple categories.

The competition features athletes in the Men's Open, Women's Open, Under-18, and Under-14 divisions, with every heat contributing valuable points towards the national championship rankings.

Mahabalipuram's renowned right-hand point break provided ideal conditions for the opening day. Known for its long, peeling waves, the surf break offered competitors the opportunity to showcase high-performance surfing and extended rides, making it one of the most anticipated venues on the national calendar.

Among the standout performances, Shrikanth D led the Men's Open category with wave scores of 9.00 and 7.67, while Kishore Kumar dominated the Under-18 Boys division with scores of 9.33 and 8.17. His 9.33 emerged as the highest single-wave score recorded on the opening day. In the Under-14 Boys category, Prahalad Sriram topped the leaderboard with scores of 6.50 and 6.33.

As the third stop of the national championship circuit, the Point Break Challenge plays an important role in shaping the overall standings before the series moves to the Covelong Classic in Kovalam, Chennai, scheduled from 6–8 August.

Following the domestic circuit, Mahabalipuram will also host the WSL Shore Temple Classic from 12–16 August, giving Indian surfers the opportunity to compete on home waves in an international event.

The Point Break Challenge will continue until 1 August 2026 and is supported by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), and TT Group. The event is organised by the Surfing Federation of India (SFI) and the Tamil Nadu Surfing Association (TNSA).

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