16-year-old Avani Radheshyam, hailing from a family of oncologists, has created OncoCaregiver, an app that offers a comprehensive support system addressing a critical but often overlooked healthcare gap in the country. While the journey of cancer patients is frequently in the limelight, the silent struggles of their caregivers remain unaddressed. Avani’s personal experience led to an innovative solution to this challenge.

Recounting how she got inspired to create this unique app for cancer caregivers, Avani Radheshyam said: “Both my grandmother and aunt were diagnosed with stage 2 cancer a few years ago. As my parents took on caregiving responsibilities, I witnessed firsthand the overwhelming challenges they faced: managing complex medical treatments, making difficult financial decisions, providing round-the-clock emotional support to the two patients, and navigating hospital systems, all the while trying to maintain their emotional equilibrium. That is when the question struck me: Most innovations in oncology focus on cancer patients, but who is caring for caregivers? A cancer diagnosis changes two lives: the patient’s and the caregiver’s. Only one gets support, at least in India.”

Determined to change this, Avani pursued her idea during an internship at an oncology hospital in Bengaluru, where she saw countless caregivers exhausted and emotionally drained. She conducted her research through surveys with cancer caregivers across the city. It revealed alarming statistics about them experiencing severe emotional strain, including anxiety, depression, and fear about their patients’ survival. More than half had difficulty understanding complex medical treatments, leading to poor treatment choices. The majority of them reported feelings of loneliness and social isolation.

That’s when Avani realized that caregivers need support just as much as patients do. Thus was born the OncoCaregiver App as a one-stop solution in cancer caregiving. While most healthcare apps focus on patients, this app is specially made for caregivers, offering expert advice, mental health support, nutrition guidance, and direct access to doctors. It provides emergency help, wellness programs, and second-opinion services, giving caregivers the tools and knowledge they need to make their journey easier and support their loved ones better.

The app reduces stress, saves time, improves decision-making, and enhances patient care. It offers a dedicated cancer coach for personalized guidance on treatment plans, online therapy sessions with psychologists specializing in caregiver burnout, nutritional support from medical nutritionists for cancer-specific meal planning, a caregiver community chat for peer-to-peer support, a verified directory of oncologists for second opinion, and online yoga and meditation sessions for stress relief.

The OncoCaregiver app provides these services either completely free or at heavily subsidized rates, making support accessible to caregivers across different socioeconomic backgrounds. Services are offered free of cost to the rural and underprivileged, and workshops and awareness programs have been held for them to help connect cancer patients and caregivers.

Said Avani: “This app is meant to be a lifeline for millions of caregivers in India and worldwide. It empowers, educates, and connects, ensuring that caregivers are no longer overlooked but instead supported at every step. Caregivers are the unsung heroes of the fight against cancer—this app ensures they are never alone again.”

Since launching in October 2024, OncoCaregiver has supported more than 50 caregivers through various services, built an Instagram community of 1,000+ followers sharing caregiving insights, onboarded 15 student volunteers from various colleges, and conducted workshops covering palliative care, nutrition, meditation, and art therapy. The website and app are now being developed in 9 regional languages for larger and rural outreach in India.

The app is available for both Android and Apple users. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wnapp.id1739258387753&pli=1

The post Bengaluru Innovator Develops Groundbreaking App to Support Cancer Caregivers appeared first on NRI News.

In this context, Mugdha Kalra’s groundbreaking book, “I See You, I Get You: The Self-Care Guide for Special Needs Parents”, has emerged as an essential resource. Launched during the India

Inclusion Summit and the Indian Neurodiversity Summit in Bangalore, the book is a timely companion for families, educators, and employers alike.

A Book That Begins a Movement

The book speaks directly to the emotional, financial, and social challenges faced by parents of neurodivergent children, particularly in India, where systemic support remains inadequate. Mugdha Kalra—an award-winning broadcast journalist, BBC 100 Women 2021 honoree, and co- founder of Not That Different—draws from her personal experience as a caregiver and her professional expertise in inclusion advocacy.

Through a mix of practical strategies and reflective insights, the book encourages caregivers to prioritize their well-being—not just for themselves, but to better support their children. It also pushes for corporate policies that include caregivers, asserting that empowering caregivers can transform the larger disability ecosystem.

“When corporates hire caregivers, they empower entire families to lead more stable and fulfilling lives and this kind of support ripples out, fostering confidence and independence across the disability community”, Mugdha explains.

Mugdha Kalra began her advocacy journey in 2014 after her son was diagnosed with autism and built a platform for inclusion through Not That Different, India’s first child-led neurodiversity movement and resource group for awareness, acceptance, and intervention. She is also an award-winning screenwriter and corporate trainer on inclusion and invisible disabilities.

Why This Matters in April and Beyond

With autism diagnoses on the rise in India, public awareness around early red flags and timely intervention is more important than ever. Many families still delay diagnosis due to stigma or

lack of access. This month offers the media the opportunity to highlight:

• What autism is and why it’s rising
• Early signs and the importance of intervention
• Real-life experiences of families navigating the system

• Caregiver Inclusion: Creating workplace policies that support families
• Financial Planning for Special Needs Families: Navigating life without government support
• Assisted Living in India: The urgent need for long-term care models for neurodivergent adults
• Inclusive Education: Bridging the gap between policy and practice in classrooms

‘Dhwani’: A Groundbreaking Educator Resource for Inclusive Classrooms

‘Dhwani- Voices of Practitioners Driving Inclusion in Classrooms’ is a handy resource for every teacher by Not That Different, the neurodiversity advocacy vertical of Bookosmia.

Bookosmia (smell of books) is India’s No.1 publisher ‘for kids, by kids’. Publishing thousands of young minds every year from 145+ locations worldwide, running India’s first live podcast by

kids and teens and leading a pioneering child-led movement to embrace neurodiversity and spread awareness of mental health issues amongst adolescents, under the banner of Not That Different.

Dhwani is an outcome of educators who have spent decades making accommodations for children with diverse needs. It equips teachers with strategies to handle everyday scenarios,

acknowledges the need for the teacher’s mental well-being as they take up daunting tasks, and gives them the confidence to believe that they can also cater to the diverse needs of their students. Pulled together painstakingly by special educator and inclusion champion Shwetha Srivatsan in conversation with veterans from the industry who focus on early education like

Dr.Sumathi Ravindranath chairperson of the Indian Montessori Center and a member of the Focus group for NEP 2020, Karnataka to Bhargavi Raman, Faculty of Mental Health at Azim Premji University whose inputs on first equipping the teacher with the confidence and

empathy opens the book. It has contributions from education leaders like Champa Saha, founding principal of Samhita Academy set up by Infosys Founder Mr. Shibulal enrolls at least 20% of underprivileged children to their school, Puja Sood, Head of Alternate Learning Solutions at the International School Greenwood High and Sonali Saini, Founder of Sol’s Arc that partners with state governments of Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and more on disability inclusion in their government schools. The resource is powered by the EK Step Foundation.

This resource takes the conversation to the next level, beyond knowing that bringing inclusive practices is good for every child in class, not just those with diverse needs, and works towards the teacher’s advantage, not just as a mandate under the RPWD act

Deepika Mogilishetty, Chief of Policy and Partnerships, EkStep Foundation, says: “As you engage with this resource, see it as an invitation to create spaces where every child—no matter their ability—feels seen, feels heard, and simply feels happy every day… It is an invitation to see beyond the labels, beyond the struggles, and into the incredible hearts and minds of children who experience the world differently.”

Bookosmia is run by Nidhi Mira

Nidhi is the Founder & CEO of Bookosmia (smell of books)- India’s largest publisher for kids, by kids. An ex-banker who pivoted from a 10-year banking career to her, quitting as a VP in HSBC to pivot to entrepreneurship. Nidhi is a Maths (Hons) graduate from LSR, DU, and an MBA from IIM Lucknow.

The post The Importance of Caregiver Inclusion and Classroom Reform This April appeared first on NRI News.

On the inauguration of the lab, Shri Ved Mani Tiwari, COO (Officiating CEO), NSDC & MD, NSDC International said, “We are excited for our partnership with Sompo Care Inc., marking a significant milestone for NSDC International. This collaboration enables us to provide specialized training programs for Indian nursing care personnel, enhancing their skills and preparing them for valuable opportunities in Japan’s healthcare system. Together, we aim to address the growing demand for skilled nursing professionals in Japan while strengthening the ties between India and Japan in the healthcare sector. Through this initiative, we are committed to bridging the gap in healthcare services and supporting the global need for qualified caregivers.”

Discussions between NSDCI and Sompo Care commenced in November 2023, leading to the signing of an agreement in July 2024. The collaboration includes a comprehensive nine-month Japanese language training program and caregiver domain training designed for Indian caregivers, before being employed at Sompo Care facilities in Japan.

The Nursing Care Lab will offer practical training conducted by qualified trainers from SOMPO Care, ensuring that candidates are well-prepared to meet operational standards in Japan. The pilot program will focus on 75 candidates across three batches before scaling up to the larger numbers.

During his address, Shigeru Ando, Corporate Director of SOMPO Care said, “Today, those of you who have gathered here are about to embark on a nine-month journey to study Japanese language and nursing care in India. We are also delighted to celebrate the opening of the Nursing Care Lab. SOMPO Care is the No. 1 nursing care operator in Japan, focusing on establishing an education system through our in-house training centers. Experienced trainers from SOMPO Care will be dispatched here to share the nursing care skills and knowledge we have developed over 20 years. You have passed a severe selection process and have gathered here with a strong determination to pursue this path. We are fully committed to supporting your efforts as you prepare for a future in Japan’s nursing care sector.“

By working together, NSDC International and Sompo Care aim to establish a sustainable training model for quality caregivers in India and enable international opportunities for them in Japan.

The post NSDC International and Sompo Care Join Forces to Elevate Caregiver Training in India appeared first on NRI News.

MUMBAI: Godrej & Boyce, the flagship company of the Godrej Group, announced that its business Godrej Interio, India’s leading furniture solutions brand, in-home, and institutional segments, launched a unique healthcare birthing bed – ‘Solace’. The Solace Bed is a unique concept that facilitates ease of movement and enables alternating between different postures during the Labour, Delivery, Recovery, and Postpartum (LDRP) process. With the new range, Godrej Interio is addressing the need for making the birthing experience healthy for the mother and caregiver. The brand currently generates over 13% of Institutional revenue from the healthcare industry and provides furniture solutions to over 100 hospitals and healthcare institutions across the country.

According to data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, quality of care is increasingly recognized as a critical aspect of the unfinished maternal and newborn health agenda, with over 40% of death witnessed among new mothers and children at the time of labor and delivery. The LDRP journey for the mother needs the best medical care and support. For a smooth and safe delivery, it’s essential to ensure a less strenuous journey for both the mother and the caregiver. Addressing the concern, Interio – a reputed healthcare furniture brand has come up with a bed that aims to better the birthing procedure.

Godrej Interior’s feature-loaded Solace Bed is designed to offer comfort to the mother and hospital staff during birthing procedures. Considering the varying stages of giving birth, the bed has been designed to deliver a smooth and safe experience during childbirth. The key features include an electronically controlled backrest and height, 360° adjustable calf supports, manual & electronic CPR for emergencies and in case of power shutdown, and retractable leg rest. It also comes with a synchronous TR-height movement feature that brings the back bed to its horizontal position after Trendelenburg. The adaptability and simplicity of the Solace bed make it a useful, affordable option for the contemporary, progressive labor suite while providing warm, comfortable, and ergonomic care in the hospital.

On the new product launch, Sameer Joshi, Vice President, of Marketing (B2B), at Godrej Interio said, “At Godrej Interio, it has been our mission to enrich the quality of life every day and in every way. Godrej Interiors Healthcare’s business focuses on creating healthcare spaces that deliver ergonomically safe, healing experiences for the patient, family, and caregiver. The newly launched Solace bed highlights our human-centric approach towards design using thoughtful design solutions for enhancing the maternity experience. Solace bed is the one-stop solution catering to all stages of the birthing process providing comfort & support to mothers and caregivers. We take great pride in continuously innovating to uplift the quality of the healthcare experience across India. Further, we plan to launch 5 new healthcare variants to our healthcare range of furniture in FY23-24 and target revenue growth of 30% in our Healthcare business.”

The post <strong>Godrej Interio launches the new ‘Solace’ Hospital Birthing Bed</strong> appeared first on NRI News.