A child’s brain grows faster in their first three years than at any other time in their life. If your baby is taking a little longer to learn a skill like sitting up or making eye contact, noticing it early is the best thing you can do.

Catching a delay early simply provides a helpful window into your child’s unique pace and developmental needs. While every child follows their own timeline, noticing these variations allows you to partner with professionals to see if standard, play-based strategies can support their growth. It is never a definitive diagnosis or a label; rather, it is a proactive step to ensure they have the right environment and encouragement to reach their full potential.

But in our intense focus on height and weight, we often miss something much more important: developmental milestones. Your child’s weight and height tell you how their body is growing, but their developmental milestones tell you how their brain is wiring itself. Milestones are the behavioral and physical skills most children master by a certain age—like tracking a toy with their eyes, responding to their name, taking that first wobbly step, or throwing a tantrum because they finally understand the concept of “no.”

Recent health surveys in India highlight a worrying trend: parents are incredibly careful about diet and vaccinations, but often miss early signs of developmental delays. If a baby is late to walk or talk, families often brush it off, saying, “Don’t worry, his father also started talking late, he will learn in his own time.”

While it is true that every child grows at their own pace, ignoring these signs completely means missing a vital window to help them. Instead of only checking the weighing scale, start observing these everyday magic moments:

Connection: Does your baby make eye contact and smile when you talk to them? Do they show interest in your face?

Communication: Are they making sounds, babbling, or turning their head when you call their name?

Movement: Are they learning to hold their head steady, sit without support, or pick up small objects with their fingers?

It is time we changed the questions we ask during our routine check-ups. Instead of only asking, “Doctor, what tonic can I give to increase his appetite?”, we need to start asking, “Doctor, he isn’t pointing at objects yet, is that typical for his age?”

Early intervention is practically magic. A child’s brain is incredibly adaptable during the first three years of life. If a child is slightly delayed in speech or motor skills, catching it early means they can get the right play-based guidance to catch up quickly and confidently.
True health isn’t just about the numbers on a clinic’s scale. It is about watching your child learn to connect with you, explore their environment, and find their unique voice. So, permit yourself to put away the measuring tape for a moment. Sit on the floor, play with your little one, and watch the beautiful, complex way their mind is unfolding. That is where the most important growth actually happens.

Author: Mrs Deepali Maheshwari (MASLP) Speech and Language Pathologist

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The Shakti Ratna recognises women achievers making a meaningful difference to society – women across different spectra whose work empowers and uplifts others, and Sardesai bagged the honour as an accomplished author whose books give voice, strength, and visibility to women’s stories and marginalised children.

Sardesai’s books are socially themed and a researched documentation of changing norms.

• ‘Child of My Heart: A Comprehensive Guide to Adoption in India’ –  a first-of-its-kind – examines how adoption works in India against the broader backdrop of how the country views its vulnerable children.
• The Amazon bestseller ‘When Love is Lost: Cases from the Family Courts of a Changing India’ is a critically acclaimed look at the changing face of marriage in a deeply conservative society.
• ‘Punyakatha: The Story of a Million Years’, done for Heritage India, is a children’s book chronicling the history of Pune and the Deccan Plateau from the Stone Age to the present.
• Her recently released ‘Lost Among the Myths: Her Stories from the Ramayana’ is a feminist reclamation in which thirteen women characters from the epic tell their own stories in their own voices.

“I feel deeply honoured by this recognition, and it strengthens my resolve to continue exploring issues that impact us all. My next two books trace the history of Maharashtra for over 2000 years in a manner that is interesting and engaging to every reader, as well as a reclamation of women’s voices from the Mahabharata,” shares Sardesai.

A gold medallist in Journalism and English Literature from Pune University, Sardesai has written for The Indian Express, The Times of India, DNA, and Heritage India, among other leading publications.

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NEW DELHI: India’s maternity healthcare landscape is undergoing a significant shift, with more women accessing formal, institutional care than ever before. As per data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with over 88–90% of births now occurring in institutional settings, the share of institutional deliveries has reached 97.3% in 2023–24, signalling a sustained shift towards formal, hospital-based maternal care. Government data presented in 2025 further showed that C-section deliveries accounted for over 27% of all reported births in India during 2024–25, reinforcing the growing shift towards medically intensive maternity care.

Against this backdrop, Care Health Insurance highlights a clear expansion in women’s health claims, both in scale and intensity. Women’s health insurance claims rose 37% from FY25 to FY26, with the 20–40 age group continuing to drive this growth, increasing from 25% over the same period.

At the same time, maternity-related claims are becoming more cost-intensive, with Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities continuing to account for a larger share of overall claims, contributing to 60% of all maternity claims reported to the company.

A shift in the maternal age profile is also visible. In FY26, women aged above 35 years accounted for 12% of total maternity claim volumes, which was higher compared to previous years and increasing. The cost of this age group was 18% of the overall claim amount, indicating higher cost intensity associated with later-age pregnancies.

Overall maternity claim outgo has risen by 25% over the last two years, even as claim volumes have fluctuated, indicating a shift towards higher spend per case.

While deliveries are becoming increasingly institutionalized and more efficient, the proportion of women discharged within five days for maternal care has increased from 75% in FY24 to 82% in FY26. This duration of discharge is not resulting in cost reduction; instead, the company has seen an upward trend in cost intensity for maternal treatment.

Taken together, these trends reflect a structural shift in maternal healthcare, with rising cost intensity and evolving care patterns driving higher financial exposure. The findings are further reinforced by broader public health data, which indicates that a majority of women in India are accessing formal antenatal care services, while three out of four continue to have inadequate dietary iron intake, highlighting persistent nutritional gaps and long-term health vulnerabilities beyond maternity.

Commenting on the findings, Manish Dodeja, Executive Director & Chief Business Officer, Care Health Insurance, said, “Women’s health insurance claims are no longer following a linear growth pattern; they are expanding in both scale and intensity. We are seeing a clear shift in the maternity landscape, with costs rising steadily. While care pathways are becoming more efficient, the financial exposure associated with maternal healthcare is increasing. This is not just a utilisation trend; it reflects a broader shift in how women are accessing and experiencing healthcare today. It is therefore important for individuals to periodically reassess their coverage to ensure it remains aligned with evolving needs.”

As maternal healthcare continues to formalise and utilisation rises, ensuring adequate and timely health insurance coverage remains critical to managing financial exposure and ensuring continuity of care.

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The award was presented by Ms. Priya Dutt, Chairperson of the Nargis Dutt Foundation and former Member of Parliament, at a ceremony held at the Cricket Club of India (CCI), Mumbai, on May 1, 2026. The event, organised in collaboration with Lions Clubs International, brought together a distinguished group of women achievers across diverse fields. Other awardees included Kainaz Messman Harchandrai, Founder of Theobroma, Dr. Ketna Mehta of Nina Foundation, actor Avantika Akerkar, and national racing champion Diana Pundole.

Renu Wadhwa has led K K Eye Institute since its inception in 2003, transforming it into one of Pune’s leading super-speciality eye hospitals. Today, the institute operates from a 38,000 sq. ft. facility in Koregaon Park, supported by a team of over 180 professionals, and performs approximately 15,000 surgeries annually.

Commenting on the recognition, Renu Wadhwa said: “Everything we have built rests on the foundation that Revered Dada Vaswani gave us; a vision of compassionate care and selfless service. This honour belongs to him.”  

Her leadership is anchored in the philosophy of #NoCompromise – no compromise on clinical excellence and no compromise on compassionate care, guided by a simple but powerful principle: “Always do what is best for the patient.” Under her direction, the institute has built a strong reputation for ethical, high-quality eye care driven by advanced technology, robust clinical systems, and a deep culture of patient trust.

Despite not coming from a medical background, Ms. Wadhwa has earned recognition from leading ophthalmic and social organisations, including the All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS), Maharashtra Ophthalmological Society Conference (MOSCON), Association of Community Ophthalmologists of India (ACOIN), Rotary, and Lions Clubs, among others.

The Women of Wonder Awards recognise women who have made a meaningful impact through their work and contributions to society. This recognition acknowledges Ms. Wadhwa’s role in building a sustainable, values-driven healthcare institution that continues to set benchmarks in ethical and patient-first eye care.

The K K Eye Institute is part of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission and carries forward its legacy of dedicated service to society.

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NEW DELHI: Swiggy (NSE: SWIGGY/BSE: 544285), India’s pioneering on-demand convenience platform, today organized the 2026 edition of ‘She The Change’. This flagship initiative, with the tagline ‘From Vision to Venture’, is aimed at celebrating women who are redefining India’s culinary and business landscape. Organized ahead of International Women’s Day, the event was attended by prominent women restaurateurs, chefs, and F&B leaders from across the country. Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism & Culture, Government of India, was the Chief Guest at the event.

The Chief Guest, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, along with Sriharsha Majety, Co-Founder, MD, and Group CEO, Swiggy, felicitated 28 women from the F&B industry across 2 categories- Entrepreneur of the Year and Chef of the Year. These awards recognized their contributions to culinary innovation and business success. Some of the winners of the Entrepreneur of the Year award included Aditi Dugar (Masque), Akshaya Murali (Geetham Veg Restaurant),  Anisha Saini (Mrs. Kaur), Alina Alam (Mitti Cafe), Deepika Sethi (Ikk Punjab), Divya Parwani (Pind), Jaya & Poonam Tulsiani (Bassera), Lipsa Satapathy & Tamasa Mishra (VDumpling Dynasty), Mahek Sugandh (Cacao Springs & The Binge Chocolates), Niharika Shashi Kheria (Moi- The Dessert Studio), Payal Pathak (Simply Salad), Saloni Kukreja (Indu Ice Cream), Shivanie Mirchandani (Minus 30), Suchali Jain (Suchali’s Artisan Bakehouse), Sridevi Jasti (Vibrant Living), Shreya Senapati (Spicy Signature), Toral Sanghavi & Sarah Jacob Nair (Nair on Fire),  amongst others. The top Chefs honored at the event included Aahana Gaur (Sous Chef at The Westin Mumbai Garden City), Amrita Kaur (Holistic Gourmet Chef), Hanisha Singh, Richa Johri (UNICO), Tanvi Arora (Tanviz Dream Oven), and Tarannum Sehgal (Espressos AnyDay).

This curated gathering of the pioneers, the disruptors, and the visionaries from India’s food industry reinforces Swiggy’s commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs in the F&B industry. Swiggy has 70,000 women-run restaurants on its platform. As per Swiggy’s internal estimates, these entrepreneurs are generating close to 4,20,000 jobs, as each restaurant employs an average of 6 direct employees.

In his speech, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism & Culture, Government of India, said, “Women-led businesses are vital to India’s growth, and it is inspiring to see them flourishing in diverse industries beyond just the major cities. Organizations that partner with and empower women entrepreneurs are essential for inclusive economic development. For over 12 years, Swiggy has made significant strides in promoting women’s entrepreneurship across the country. Initiatives like ‘She The Change’ celebrate their success, inspiring a new generation of women to pursue entrepreneurship.”

Rohit Kapoor, CEO, Swiggy Food Marketplace, added, “She The Change is our flagship initiative aimed at celebrating the journey and success of women in the food ecosystem who are shaping the future of India’s culinary scene. Their stories of resilience, creativity, and leadership are truly inspiring. As a platform, we are committed to supporting women entrepreneurs in their growth journeys.”

The event also included a star-studded panel discussion on the topic “Leading with Flavor”. The panelists included Samiksha Pednekar (Backbay), Saloni Kukreja (Indu Ice cream), Amrita Kaur (Holistic Gourmet), and Sridevi Jasti (Vibrant Living). The panel was moderated by Rocky Singh, a renowned food blogger and anchor. The panelists discussed various tenets around building a business, including how they started out, their journey, and what worked for them. In addition to this, they discussed the various changes in the Indian food industry over the last few years, the funding challenge, fads or trends in the market, and how they leverage them, as well as the future of the food industry and how they would like to influence the Indian food scene in the future.

To support the continued growth of entrepreneurs and chefs, Swiggy is enabling access to a 3-month Gen AI trial pack for all 50 winners and attendees, so they can explore AI-driven tools to enhance business operations, insights, and storytelling.

With each edition, #SheTheChange continues to strengthen its role as a platform that not only honors excellence but also encourages deeper conversations about women’s leadership in India’s rapidly growing food and restaurant industry.  In 2024, the inaugural edition of ‘She The Change’ commemorated nearly a decade of Swiggy working with women entrepreneurs and put a spotlight on both budding and established women entrepreneurs in the Food & Beverage (F&B) industry. Some of the winners from the last edition include Roma Sinha, Oriental Spice; Aparna Andrews, Biryani Blues; Alpa Bhatt, Aarambh Kitchen; Debjani Sahu, Garam Masala; RJ Vishnupriya, Kai Manam; Kakileti Pallavi, Hyggee Multicuisine Restaurant, amongst others.

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With this addition, Ujaas now operates two Ujaas Green Manufacturing Units in Maharashtra, collectively employing 45 SHG women and creating livelihood opportunities for nearly 1,500 additional women across the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions. The earlier unit in Jalna has demonstrated strong outcomes, producing 111,125 reusable cloth pads over two years and establishing community-run manufacturing as a sustainable driver of local economic participation.

The Jalna unit has successfully distributed cloth pads locally and across neighbouring districts, including Sambhajinagar, Nanded, Parbhani, Beed, and Buldhana, while also expanding its reach across Maharashtra and pan-India through the Ujaas Menstrual Health Express Campaign. The campaign facilitated free pad distribution across 25 states and 121 cities, significantly strengthening awareness, accessibility, and outreach.

Poonam Patkar, Head – Ujaas, said, “The Ujaas Green Manufacturing Unit is designed as a fully women-managed production ecosystem — from cutting and stitching to quality control, packaging, marketing, and sales coordination. Based on the performance of our Jalna unit, each participating woman can earn a stable annual income of around ₹75,000, depending on skill and product demand, ensuring predictable financial support for her family while each SHG collectively benefits from sustained enterprise income. Beyond production, women are trained in financial literacy, hygiene standards, and business processes so they can independently manage and grow the unit. This is not just employment — it is structured livelihood ownership that builds confidence, skills, and long-term economic security.”

The new facility is projected to manufacture more than 55,000 reusable cloth pads annually, further strengthening Ujaas’ growing network of women-led production hubs. The initiative demonstrates how regions with active SHG ecosystems can build locally managed enterprises that generate income while addressing essential health needs.

In addition to enterprise creation, participating women lead awareness sessions in their communities to promote informed menstrual health practices and reduce stigma. Ujaas Green Cloth Pads are reusable and chemical-free, offering an affordable alternative to disposable products while reducing menstrual waste and supporting environmentally responsible consumption.

This expansion marks another step in Ujaas’ mission to scale women-driven grassroots enterprises across Maharashtra, creating sustainable pathways for livelihood generation, entrepreneurship, and community-led development.

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The announcement, made at Hyatt Regency Pune & Residences, follows the successful Mumbai and Bengaluru editions earlier this season, which drew large-scale participation and reinforced the Zydus Pinkathon’s growing footprint across major cities. In Pune, the platform returns with its signature mix of community and endurance formats, while continuing to spotlight women’s health, including awareness around early detection and regular self-breast examinations.

The Pune edition will feature a strong line-up of mascots that reflect the diversity and intent of the Zydus Pinkathon movement. Mrunal Inamdar will represent the Super 75 km category, taking on the distance in a traditional nauvari saree, while Lalita Pawar, a visually impaired runner, will lead the Fabulous 50 km category. The 100 km mascot will be Dr Neelam Vaid, a 61-year-old ENT surgeon, symbolising resilience and lifelong fitness. The 10 km run will be represented by Dr Mitali Upadhye, a cancer survivor, the Lifelong 5 km by Usha Soman, mother of Pinkathon founder Milind Soman, aged 87, and the 3 km category by Mayuri Das, a babywearing mother, highlighting inclusive participation.

Speaking at the unveiling, Milind Soman, Founder, Pinkathon, said, “Pune has always had a strong running culture, and coming back after seven years feels especially meaningful. As the platform continues its journey across India this season, Pune becomes an important stop, one that brings together community participation, competitive running, and health awareness under one umbrella. The return here reflects how women’s running in India has grown, and how consistently women continue to show up when given the right space.”

The Pune edition also continues the Zydus Pinkathon’s association with healthcare conversations, with a renewed focus on preventive practices and awareness around breast cancer, reinforcing the idea that fitness events can serve as platforms for long-term health dialogue beyond race day.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sharvil Patel, Managing Director, Zydus Lifesciences, said, “With the Easiest Exam campaign, we seek to empower women with the knowledge that a simple 3-minute self-examination each month can make a life-saving difference.

Joining hands with Pinkathon, we aim to reach many more women, raise awareness, and inspire collective action in the fight against breast cancer. We believe that raising awareness on women’s health and Breast cancer remains equally vital, as early detection has the power to save countless lives.”

Ankita Konwar, Founder, Invincible Women, said, “What excites me is seeing women approach fitness as something they build into their lives, not something tied to a single event. In cities like Pune, there’s a quiet commitment to showing up regularly, pushing personal limits, and staying consistent. Pinkathon creates a structure where that mindset can grow across distances, ages, and stages of life.”

Adding to this, Dr Tushar Patil, leading oncologist, Zydus, said, “It’s inspiring to see women come together at Zydus Pinkathon for both fitness and awareness. While staying active strengthens the body, early screening is our strongest defence against breast cancer. A simple monthly self-exam, just two hands and three minutes, can help detect warning signs early. In cities like Pune, such small, consistent actions can truly save lives, and initiatives like Zydus Pinkathon help take these vital conversations into the community.”

The event is supported by a strong partner ecosystem led by Zydus as the Title Partner, and further strengthened by Lotus Herbals (Sunscreen Partner), Lifelong (Fitness Partner), Sirona (Hygiene Partner), and Hyatt Regency Pune & Residences (Hospitality Partner). Healthcare and wellness are reinforced through Fujifilm (Breast Health Partner), 3TENX (Hair Wellness Partner), alongside Bisleri (Hydration Partner), Zivame (Activewear Partner), and Tasty Nibbles (Tasty Meals Partner). The event is supported by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) & Fit India. The experience is further enriched by Inc.5 (Gifting Partner), and Big FM (Radio Partner), with execution by Smiling Tiger Experiences LLP.

Continuing its 2025–26 journey, the Zydus Pinkathon builds on successful editions in Mumbai and Bengaluru, with upcoming runs scheduled across key cities, including Hyderabad and Delhi, carrying forward its commitment to making women’s health, fitness, and participation visible, accessible, and sustained.

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Over 46 finalists participated in the competition, showcasing their skills across fashion, talent, and empowerment initiatives. Aarti Borole competed in the Silver Category and emerged as the winner, earning the prestigious title of Mrs Maharashtra 2025 Season 9. In addition to the main crown, she also won the Mrs Achiever Subtitle Crown and the Best Dress Crown.

Aarti returned to India from the United States in 2023 and has over 10 years of experience in the IT industry. She is currently working as a Senior Software Engineer at Apexon. Besides being a dedicated professional, fitness and dance are her passions, and she maintains a disciplined lifestyle, spending an hour daily at the gym.

Her journey to winning the title involved immense dedication and hard work. Aarti successfully balanced her professional responsibilities, family life, and rigorous pageant preparations. She often practiced late into the night, preparing for her introduction, talent rounds, and various stage segments. 

A big shoutout to my husband, Tushar! He’s been my constant motivation and support system alongwith my two children. I owe this crown to them, beams Aarti.

Expressing her gratitude further, Aarti shared that Anjana and Karl Mascarenhas, Founders of DIVA Pageants, were her strongest pillars of support throughout the journey.

My next goal is to participate in the Mrs India pageant and bring home the crown, smiles Aarti. 

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The day began with a quiet moment of devotion at the Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandir, where many of the children experienced a large urban temple for the very first time.

The highlight of the afternoon was a celebratory lunch at Elephant & Co., made possible through the efforts of Minoti Makim of Carpe Diem. Minoti believes, “Christmas isn’t about grand gestures, it’s about showing up for those who need joy and community the most. I’m grateful we could do that together.”

The restaurant welcomed the children with an extraordinary, thoughtfully curated food spread—a gesture that spoke of genuine generosity.

Karan, founder of Elephant & Co., shared that hosting the group was “an honour for the team,” adding that creating a special meal for the children was their way of making them “feel seen, welcomed, and celebrated.”

Adding to the festive spirit, Minoti’s friend Yalda chose to celebrate her own birthday with the children. She arrived with Santa Claus, gifts for all, and a cake she cut surrounded by beaming faces. 

Dimple Somji, founder of With Love NGO, expressed that the experience was “a first in every sense for the children – their first visit to Pune, their first restaurant meal of this scale, and most importantly, their first feeling of being celebrated by an entire community.”

The day ended with the children returning home carrying gifts, memories, and the warmth of a city that opened its heart to them. The collaboration between individuals and organisations transformed a simple outing into a Christmas they will remember for years.

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The two-hour event brought community members and children together through mixed-team activities, festive games, Secret Santa gifting, music, and dinner. Each team included adults and children to encourage connection, confidence, and shared joy.

Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Nidhi said, “Christmas is about belonging. This celebration allowed our community to share joy in the most meaningful way – with presence, kindness, and love.”

Dimple Somji, founder of With Love NGO, shared, “Our aim was simple: to make every child feel seen, valued, and celebrated. Watching the girls light up reminded us why collective kindness matters.”

The evening highlighted community spirit and the power of simple gestures to create lasting memories.

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