Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai Unveils 15.59-Metre ‘Organ of Hope’ at Lalbaug, Earns Guinness World Records Title

Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai Unveils 15.59-Metre ‘Organ of Hope’ at Lalbaug, Earns Guinness World Records Title.

‘Organs of Hope’ campaign, supported by Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, brings organ donation awareness to the heart of Mumbai during Ganeshotsav

In a unique coming together of faith, healthcare and community, Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai has unveiled a 15.59-metre fibreglass sculpture depicting multiple human organs at Lalbaug as part of its ‘Organs of Hope’ organ donation awareness campaign.

The initiative, undertaken with the support of Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, aims to take the conversation around organ donation beyond hospital walls and into the heart of the community during Ganeshotsav.

The ‘Organ of Hope’ sculpture has achieved the Guinness World Records™ title for the “Largest Fibreglass Sculpture of Organs”, marking an important milestone for Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai and bringing greater visibility to the message of organ donation.

The support extended by Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal has been central to the initiative, providing a meaningful platform to bring the conversation around organ donation to thousands of people visiting Lalbaug during the festive period.

The campaign also brings together ZTCC, MOHAN Foundation, Narmada Kidney Foundation, Verma Trust, Donate Life Lunawa Helping Hands, ISCCM – Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine, Mumbai City Branch, along with students and faculty from Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College, SNDT Matunga, Kirti College and Khalsa College, among others.

Through the campaign, volunteers and participating organisations are engaging with visitors, creating awareness about organ donation, addressing common myths and encouraging people to discuss their wishes with their families and consider taking an organ donation pledge.

Why ‘Organs of Hope’?

For Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai, ‘Organs of Hope’ is an extension of its responsibility as a healthcare institution to create awareness about a subject that can directly influence the lives of patients waiting for a transplant.

India has made significant progress in organ transplantation, but a considerable gap continues to exist between the need for organs and their availability. The Government of India has highlighted the continuing demand–supply gap, while NOTTO has identified challenges including limited awareness about brain-stem death, lack of awareness and attitudes towards organ donation.

The need, therefore, is not only for more transplant infrastructure and medical expertise, but also for greater public understanding and participation in organ donation.

For many people, organ donation remains a subject surrounded by questions, misconceptions and uncertainty. Conversations about donation often happen too late—or do not happen at all within families. NOTTO's public-awareness material specifically addresses common myths around organ donation and encourages people to understand the facts and communicate their wishes.

‘Organs of Hope’ has been created to help bridge this awareness gap.

By taking the message out of the hospital and placing it in the heart of a community gathering such as Lalbaug during Ganeshotsav, Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai aims to make organ donation a visible, understandable and meaningful conversation—one that begins with awareness, moves into families and can ultimately lead to informed decisions.

A Message of Hope in the Presence of Bappa

The presence of the ‘Organ of Hope’ sculpture at Lalbaug during Ganeshotsav gives the campaign a deeper significance, bringing a message of hope, compassion and giving to a space where people come together in faith.

Mr. Sudhir Salvi, Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, said:

“Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal has always believed in bringing people together through faith, compassion and social responsibility. We are happy to support Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai in taking the important message of organ donation to the community. Organ donation is a beautiful expression of humanity—it can give someone waiting for a transplant another chance at life. We hope that this initiative inspires more people to speak to their families about organ donation and come forward for this noble cause.”

Taking Organ Donation Beyond Hospital Walls

Dr. Bipin Chevale, CEO, Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai, said:

“As a healthcare institution, we see every day how deeply the need for timely treatment and transplantation can affect patients and their families. With ‘Organs of Hope’, we wanted to take the conversation around organ donation beyond the hospital and into the community. The intention is to create awareness, address misconceptions and encourage people to have an open conversation with their families about their wishes. Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal has given us a truly meaningful platform to do this during Ganeshotsav. The Guinness World Records™ title is a proud milestone for Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai, but the larger purpose of this initiative is to spread awareness and inspire more people to consider the Gift of Life.”

Awareness as the First Step Towards More Donations

Dr. Bharat Shah, ZTCC, said “Awareness is an important step towards strengthening organ donation. People need to understand the importance of donation, overcome myths and concerns, and have informed conversations with their families. The ‘Organs of Hope’ campaign has taken this conversation directly to the community in a highly visible and meaningful way. The coming together of healthcare organisations, community institutions and educational institutions can help encourage more people to make informed decisions and come forward for organ donation.”

India Continues to Face a Significant Need for Donated Organs

According to data reported by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), India recorded 20,019 organ transplants in 2025. As of March 3, 2026, 89,839 people were on the national waitlist for major organs, according to data reported on the NOTTO National Registry Portal.

At the same time, deceased-donor transplantation continues to account for a relatively smaller proportion of total transplants. Government data released in February 2026 stated that around 18% of transplants were being performed using organs donated after death.

These figures underline the importance of continuing to build awareness, understanding and public participation in organ donation.

‘Organs of Hope’ seeks to turn awareness into action by encouraging people to learn about organ donation, understand the facts, discuss their wishes with their families and consider making an informed pledge.

Healthcare, Community and Young Minds Come Together

The campaign brings together ZTCC, MOHAN Foundation, Narmada Kidney Foundation, Verma Trust, Lunawa Helping Hands, ISCCM – Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine, Mumbai City Branch, along with students and faculty from Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College, SNDT Matunga, Kirti College and Khalsa College, among others.

Volunteers and participating organisations are engaging with visitors at Lalbaug, helping create awareness about organ donation and encouraging meaningful conversations around the subject.

Students have also contributed to the campaign through pledges, artwork, creative expressions and awareness activities, helping take the message beyond the campaign site and into their families, peer groups and communities.

From One Conversation to a Gift of Life

At its heart, ‘Organs of Hope’ is about starting a conversation that can begin with one person and reach an entire family.

For Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai, the campaign is an effort to bring healthcare awareness into the community and encourage people to understand that organ donation is not merely a medical subject—it is a conversation about compassion, generosity, responsibility and hope.

The 15.59-metre ‘Organ of Hope’ at Lalbaug is therefore more than a sculpture. It is intended to serve as a powerful reminder of the lives that can be touched when awareness leads to an informed decision.

With the support of Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal and its partner organisations, ‘Organs of Hope’ seeks to turn this public platform into a meaningful conversation—one that begins at Lalbaug, reaches homes and families, and keeps the Gift of Life at the heart of the message.

 

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*Upendra Limaye and Jitendra Joshi Seek Lord Ganesha’s Blessings*

 *Upendra Limaye and Jitendra Joshi Seek Lord Ganesha’s Blessings*

Amid the auspicious and festive spirit of Ganeshotsav, the team of the upcoming Marathi film ‘Bandhu’ visited the renowned Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati in Pune and sought the blessings of Lord Ganesha. The film, which is set to release on 20th November, stars Upendra Limaye and Jitendra Joshi in the lead as brothers, along with director Nitin Sindhuvijay Supekar, who offered prayers at Bappa’s feet. On the occasion, the film team was felicitated by Punit Balan.

Along with seeking Bappa’s blessings, Jitendra Joshi thoroughly enjoyed the soulful bhajans being performed in the devotional atmosphere. The ‘Bandhu’ duo, Upendra Limaye and Jitendra Joshi, were seen completely immersed in the rhythm and spirit of the bhajans. Later, Upendra Limaye, Jitendra Joshi and director Nitin Supekar came together to perform the Ganpati Aarti and seek Bappa’s blessings. A special poster of the film was also unveiled on the occasion, making this devotional moment a memorable one for the team ahead of the film’s release.

Presented by Rajat Bedi, the film is produced under the banner of JSD Studios in association with Triflix Entertainment. The film is produced by Pranav Desai, Juhi Desai and Kuldeep Sunil Ojha. The story, screenplay, dialogues and direction are by Nitin Sindhuvijay Supekar.

Bringing to the screen an emotional story of the unbreakable bond, love and affection shared between two brothers, ‘Bandhu’ is all set to meet audiences on 20th November.

*At Lalbaugcha Raja, Bhog Served in 100% Regenerative Tableware*

 *At Lalbaugcha Raja, Bhog Served in 100% Regenerative Tableware*

Mumbai's iconic Ganeshotsav pandal partners with CHUK to move bhog distribution away from single-use plastic

*Mumbai,* This Ganeshotsav, devotees coming to take the blessings of Lalbaugcha Raja are being served bhog on tableware that is 100% regenerative, leaving no residue in the environment unlike plastic. Every year, pooja mandals, civic authorities and devotees have been steadily shifting towards eco-friendly idols, natural materials and reduced plastic use across the ten days of celebration. The use of CHUK 100% regenerative tableware is in line with that shift.

These tableware are made from bagasse — a by-product of sugar industry. Once used, CHUK tableware composts back into the soil rather than persisting as waste for generations. Ordinary single-use plastic tableware is made from fossil fuels and can persist in the environment for hundreds of years. Based on this year's volumes at Lalbaugcha Raja, the switch to CHUK's compostable tableware is estimated to prevent generation of approximately 1580 kg CO2 equivalent.

“Compostable tableware at a pandal of this scale means thousands of plates go back to the soil instead of a landfill. We hope more mandals see it as a viable option and make the switch for their celebrations,” *said Mr. Shubham Tibrewal, Business Head – Food Services (Chuk), Pakka Limited.*

CHUK has been present at other major religious gatherings, including the consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya in January 2024 — where CHUK was the official compostable tableware partner for prasad distribution, chosen by the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has partnered with CHUK for serving pilgrims through the year. CHUK has also served at the Mahakumbh at Prayagraj and Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri.

*Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Seller Participation on Meesho Grows ~26% as Festive Demand Spans India*

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Seller Participation on Meesho Grows ~26% as Festive Demand Spans India

Karnataka and Maharashtra were among the largest Ganesh Chaturthi markets on Meesho

Tier 4 markets accounted for 53% of orders nationally

Nearly 7 in 10 participating sellers were new, while décor categories saw strong momentum

Karnataka and Maharashtra Among Key Festive Markets; Tier 4 Drives 53% of Orders

*Mumbai,* Ganesh Chaturthi shopping on Meesho saw demand across both larger cities and smaller towns this year. Karnataka and Maharashtra were among the platform’s largest markets for the festival, with Bengaluru, Mysore and Tumkur emerging as key shopping markets in Karnataka, and Mumbai and Pune driving demand in Maharashtra.

Beyond these traditional festive markets, the celebrations saw strong participation from customers across Bharat. Tier 4 markets alone accounted for 53% of all Ganesh Chaturthi orders on Meesho, meaning more than one in two orders came from these markets.

*Seller Participation Grows ~26%; Nearly 7 in 10 Sellers Were New*

More businesses participated in the festive season this year, with the number of sellers listing Ganesh Chaturthi-related products on Meesho growing ~26% YoY to nearly 9,000. Of these, nearly seven in ten were new sellers, participating in the Ganesh Chaturthi assortment on Meesho for the first time this year.

*Décor Emerges as a Festive Favourite*

Traditional idols and puja essentials remained central to Ganesh Chaturthi shopping, while décor categories saw strong momentum as customers personalised how they celebrated. Torans and wall hangings grew ~139% YoY, more than doubling over the previous year. 

Customers also increasingly took the celebration beyond the home, with dashboard figurines and idols growing ~45% YoY to become the third-largest Ganesh Chaturthi category on Meesho.

The broader festive basket included artificial flowers and plants, wall décor, string lights, table lamps, candles and puja articles, reflecting a mix of traditional essentials and decorative products as customers prepared for the festival.

S.L. RAHEJA HOSPITAL, MAHIM LAUNCHES COMPREHENSIVE WOMEN & CHILD CARE DEPTARTMENT

S.L. RAHEJA HOSPITAL, MAHIM LAUNCHES COMPREHENSIVE WOMEN & CHILD CARE DEPTARTMENT

The department brings together specialised expertise in pregnancy, reproductive health, preventive care, advanced minimally invasive procedures and comprehensive childcare under one roof ~

Healthcare needs evolve through every chapter of life — for a woman, from adolescence and reproductive health to pregnancy, motherhood and menopause; and for a child, from the earliest days of infancy through growth and development. Recognising the need for continuity of care across these milestones, S.L. Raheja Hospital, Mahim, Mumbai – A Fortis Associate today launched its Department of Women & Child Care, bringing together specialised expertise and comprehensive care in both women's health and child healthcare under one roof.

The department launch was graced by honourable trustees Mr. Neel Raheja & Mr. Akshay Raheja, along with Dr. S. Narayani, Regional Director Operations - Fortis Hospitals, Dr. Kunal Punamiya – CEO, S.L. Raheja Hospital, Lt Gen (Dr) V Ravishankar (VSM-Retd.) – Medical Advisor – Board of Trustees, S.L. Raheja Hospital. Today’s inauguration marks another step in the hospital’s continued commitment to strengthening specialised healthcare for women.

The department of Women & Child Care offers comprehensive obstetric care from antenatal check-ups and high-risk pregnancy management to labour, delivery and postpartum support. Gynecology services address menstrual disorders, PCOS, fibroids, endometriosis and other reproductive health concerns, alongside a strong focus on prevention through cancer screening, adolescent gynaecology and menopause care. Advanced surgical capabilities, including laparoscopy and hysteroscopy, enable minimally invasive treatment wherever clinically appropriate.

On the childcare front, the department brings formidable strength in pediatrics and neonatology. A dedicated team of pediatricians and neonatologists provides round-the-clock care for newborns, infants and children, backed by a well-equipped NICU capable of managing critical and high-risk cases from the very first hour of life. From routine immunizations and growth monitoring to the management of complex pediatric conditions, the department is built to support a child's health at every stage, giving parents the assurance of expert care exactly when it matters most.

The department brings together a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including Dr. Swity Kora, Dr. Vandana Shetty, Dr. Manasi Medhekar, Dr Sangeeta Pickle, Dr Alka Kumar, Dr Reshma Hussain and Dr. Vikram Shah amongst others from Obstetrics and Gynaecology, alongside Dr. Asmita Mahajan, Dr. Deepak Ugra, Dr. Rajesh Chokhani and Dr. Ganesh Lahane from Neonatology & Paediatrics. Together, the teams enable coordinated, comprehensive care for women and children, supported by the hospital's wider multidisciplinary clinical ecosystem. This is further strengthened by super-specialists across various paediatric faculties, who together contribute to ensuring clinical outcomes that are consistently benchmarked against the highest standards.

Speaking about the department’s clinical vision, Dr. Kunal Punamiya, CEO, S.L. Raheja Hospital, Mahim – A Fortis Associate, said, “The department is built on a simple but powerful idea — that care for a woman and care for her child shouldn't be treated as separate journeys. We're bringing together expertise that spans a woman's health from adolescence onward, and a child's growth from birth all the way through the teenage years, under one roof. This is just the beginning. As we grow this department, our focus will be on deepening this continuum further, so that families don't have to look beyond S.L. Raheja Hospital for care at any life stage.”

Commenting on the launch, Lt Gen (Dr) V Ravishankar (VSM-Retd.) – Medical Advisor – Board of Trustees, S.L. Raheja Hospital, Mahim, Mumbai, said, “Women's and children's healthcare have always been central to building a healthier community, and we believe strongly that a mother's care and her child's care are inseparable. Our responsibility goes beyond access to treatment — it's about ensuring women feel supported at every life stage, and children get the specialised, timely care that shapes their healthiest start. With this department, we're bringing together the expertise to meet the evolving needs of women and children alike, under one roof, built on the same trust and consistency that has defined this hospital for years. Our goal, going forward, is simple: healthcare that meets people where they are, at every stage of life.”

With the launch of the Department of Women and Child Care, S.L. Raheja Hospital, Mahim – A Fortis Associate, aims to create a more connected healthcare journey for women, bringing together expertise, advanced treatment, preventive care and compassionate support across different stages of life.

The launch reinforces the hospital’s commitment to healthcare that goes beyond treating illness — towards early intervention, informed care and long-term women’s health and wellbeing.

ABOUT FORTIS HEALTHCARE LIMITED:   

Fortis Healthcare Limited is a leading integrated healthcare delivery service provider in India. The healthcare verticals of the company primarily comprise hospitals, diagnostics, and day care specialty facilities. Currently, the company operates 36 healthcare facilities (including JVs and O&M facilities) across 12 states and union territories. The Company’s network comprises over 6150 operational beds (including O&M beds) and 400 diagnostics labs. https://www.fortishealthcare.com/

ABOUT IHH HEALTHCARE (“IHH”):

IHH is a leading multinational healthcare provider shaping the future of care. Driven by our aspiration to Care. For Good., we unite medical excellence and innovation, pushing boundaries through our trusted brands such as Acibadem, Gleneagles, Fortis, Island, Mount Elizabeth, Pantai, Parkway and Prince Court. Across 10 countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Türkiye, India and Greater China, our 70,000-strong team delivers world-class excellence every day, within and beyond our 140 healthcare facilities, including more than 80 hospitals. Our comprehensive services span the full healthcare continuum, from primary and ambulatory to quaternary care, complemented by diagnostics, imaging, rehabilitation, telehealth and home care. In partnership with our stakeholders, IHH is advancing value-based care, building a sustainable healthcare ecosystem and creating meaningful impact, as we work towards our vision to become the world’s most trusted healthcare services network. www.ihhhealthcare.com 

*PhonePe and Visa Partner to Power Comprehensive Cardless Payments for Millions of Indians Globally*

 *PhonePe and Visa Partner to Power Comprehensive Cardless Payments for Millions of Indians Globally*

Unveiled at GFF 2026, PhonePe becomes India’s first App to offer a unified suite of Visa features including Tap to Pay, Cross Border Scan to Pay, online Device Tokenization, and Smart Accept

*Mumbai*, PhonePe and Visa today jointly announced the launch of three new payment solutions: Tap to Pay, Cross Border Scan to Pay, and Smart Accept. Unveiled on stage by leadership from both organizations at the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2026, the partnership makes PhonePe the first app in India to introduce Cross Border Scan to Pay for international transactions.

Furthermore, PhonePe becomes the first app to enable a complete suite of three core Visa capabilities for consumers: Online Device Tokenization, Tap to Pay, and Cross Border Scan to Pay. Additionally, the platform is empowering micro-merchants with card acceptance through Smart Accept.

Building upon the Visa Device Tokenization launched on the platform in February 2025, this initiative establishes a seamless, cardless payment ecosystem. Once users save their Visa card on PhonePe, they can simply tap their phone to pay at stores, check out online at their favorite merchants, or scan QR codes while traveling abroad, eliminating the need to carry physical cards altogether.

Key Features of these payment solutions include:

● *Tap to Pay*: Android users can tokenize their Visa cards to make contactless payments at Point-of-Sale (POS) machines, even in low-connectivity environments. Tap to Pay will roll out progressively in phases, starting September 9, 2026.

● *Cross Border Scan to Pay*: Unveiled at the launch event, this feature allows users to scan Visa-supported QR codes across 14 key international markets including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Japan, China, and South Korea, removing currency exchange friction for Indian travelers abroad. This feature will be rolled out to users soon.

● *Unified Online Tokenization*: Integrated into the platform, users enjoy a secure ‘save once, use everywhere’ checkout experience across all participating e-commerce merchants. Millions of consumers are already experiencing this feature on the PhonePe platform.

● *Smart Accept*: Also unveiled at the launch event, this feature empowers small merchants to accept card payments directly on their smartphones without buying a separate card POS machine. Customers can pay by tapping physical cards or tokenized mobile wallets directly against the merchant's device, eliminating the need for separate POS hardware. The solution brings the cost of card-present device ownership to zero, offers seamless onboarding and optimized commercial rates, and fully integrates card payments into PhonePe's existing QR dashboard for unified daily reconciliation and simplified dispute resolution.

Speaking on the launch, *Rahul Chari, Founder & CPTO at PhonePe£

 As m* said, "At PhonePe, our vision has always been to build technology that makes payments universally accessible, intuitive, and secure. Partnering with Visa is a pivotal milestone in scaling that vision globally. By unifying online tokenization, Tap to Pay, and Cross-Border QR payments alongside Smart Accept for merchants, we are removing friction across the entire payments value chain. Through this partnership, we are not just digitizing cards, we are establishing a new standard for borderless and cardless commerce for Indian consumers and micro-merchants alike.”

*Suresh Sethi, Group Country Manager, India and South Asia, Visa, said,$ "India is at the forefront of the global digital payments revolution, and Visa is proud to be a catalyst in this transformation. Our partnership with PhonePe is another step forward in this direction and reflects a shared vision - to make trusted, secure and frictionless commerce accessible to every Indian, across borders. By bringing together our global network, tokenization capabilities, and PhonePe's unparalleled reach, into a seamless experience, we are not just simplifying payments, we are reimagining how India connects with the global economy. This collaboration reaffirms Visa's vision of being the best way to pay and be paid worldwide, delivering payment experiences that are as secure as they are effortless."

*IFAT India 2026 opens in Mumbai as government and industry focus on water security, sanitation and circular resource management*

 *IFAT India 2026 opens in Mumbai as government and industry focus on water security, sanitation and circular resource management*

*Mumbai*, The 13th edition of IFAT India, the country’s largest trade fair for water, sewage, solid waste management and recycling solutions, opened today at the *Bombay Exhibition Centre (NESCO), Mumbai*.

The opening brought together *Smt. Agnimitra Paul, Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge, Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Government of West Bengal, Smt. Isha Kalia, IAS Joint Secretary & Mission Director (NULM & PM SVANidhi), Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs* and senior representatives from state governments, municipal bodies, diplomatic missions, professional associations, international networks and the environmental technology industry.

Across the three-day event, IFAT India 2026 provides a platform for discussions, technology showcases and industry–government engagement around water security, wastewater management, sanitation, municipal solid waste, recycling and circular resource management. The programme is designed to help public- and private-sector decision-makers assess solutions, compare approaches and build partnerships for projects across the water and waste value chains.

*Bhupinder Singh, President IMEA, Messe München GmbH, and CEO, Messe Muenchen India*, said, “India’s environmental infrastructure needs solutions that can perform reliably at scale. IFAT India connects public authorities, industry and technology providers to evaluate these solutions, exchange implementation experience and build partnerships for projects across the water and waste sectors.”

*Opening dialogue puts implementation at the centre*

The inauguration was followed by a fireside conversation moderated by •Prabal Bhardwaj, Partner – Health, Human & Social Services (HHSS) Government & Public Services (G&PS), KPMG in India with Smt. Agnimitra Paul. The discussion placed urban infrastructure delivery at the centre of the opening day agenda, connecting policy priorities with the practical requirements of cities, utilities and project teams.

*Smt. Agnimitra Paul, Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge, Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Government of West Bengal*, said, “IFAT India has given us an excellent opportunity to explore new technologies and understand best practices in solid waste and wastewater management from India and around the world. We are keen to identify solutions that can be effectively implemented in West Bengal and strengthen the way our cities manage these critical areas.”

*Smt. Isha Kalia, IAS Joint Secretary & Mission Director (NULM & PM SVANidhi) Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs*, said, “With technologies and innovations across water, wastewater, pumps, networks and sludge management under one roof, there is a lot to understand and explore at IFAT India. As the sector evolves rapidly, all stakeholders need to stay aware of new developments and adapt the right solutions to local needs.”